Joey C and BJ Mohan Complete The #IceBucketChallenge For Pete Frates Quest To Wipe Out ALS

Joey C Nominates Eric Lorden, Nick Chareas, and The Rabbit.  BJ Mohan Nominates Michele Donovan, Paul Morrison and His Buddy Will McGuiness.

Y’all have 24 hours to complete it or cough up $100.

http://petefrates.com/contribute.html

#IceBucketChallenge

Mattos Field

Mattos field is looking great. Patti Amaral shared information about the work being done. She also would like to thank Jason Burroughs who painted the Mural,Jeff Davis from Home Field Athletics who did the Infield and Kevin St. Peter for the banners.

July 30, 2014 Mattos Field
July 30, 2014 infield

Gloucester Celebrity ALS Ice Bucket Challenger at Cape Pond Ice ?

Scott Memhard submits-

Who is it ? Guess who is the latest Gloucester Celebrity ALS Ice Bucket Challenger at Cape Pond Ice ?

Who is it ?  Guess who is the latest Challenger raising awareness & funds in the Strike Out ALS – Ice Bucket Challenge Fundraiser at Cape Pond Ice ?
Who is it now, beneath that cascade of ice ???
Hint:  This is a brave local “celebrity” shouting out to friends to promote an important cause…

photo

 


And,  Andy Ziergiebel, Leo DiMecurio and Peter Couture
this past Sunday….  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=941725072509482

jajiddgf


and on Saturday, Kevin Barrett of Reading at Cape Pond Ice:   https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=790173539395

www.ALSA.org
Scott Memhard
Cape Pond Ice Company

We’ve Lost A Great FOB- Tina Ketchopulos

image

You may recall Tina took home the GMG PR Person Of The Year award back in March (Click the blue link for my glowing remarks about Tina)-

GMG PR PERSON OF THE YEAR- TINA KETCHOPOLOS

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Joey C 8 comments

Here were her words after learning about the recognition-

TINA KETCHOPOLOS RESPONDS TO HER BEST GMG PR PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Joey C 4 comments Edit Post

Dear Joey:

I want you to know how honored I am to be selected PR Person of the Year!

You know that GMG is my favorite blog – it is not only entertaining, but informative and educational! I appreciate the many health programs and screenings you post for us.

I feel like I have the best job in City.  I work at a wonderful hospital with amazing employees.  On Friday,

Cindy Cafasso Donaldson and her assistant, Deb Sacco, who I enjoy working with so much, told me to check GMG and that is when I saw the announcement.  What a way to begin your day! 

The co-workers I work with are incredible.  We have excellent doctors, nurses and support staff.

They are skilled and professional – but in addition, they are compassionate and caring and this is equally

important.  I feel honored to call these individuals my co-workers and  friends.  I wish I could name every department and

every employee as they deserve recognition as well.  Addison Gilbert Hospital is striving because of their good care and work.

So it is always a pleasure to share with you programming that our staff are conducting.

My job also allows me to work with so many agencies and other non-profits within the City – I have met so many wonderful people at meetings and working on projects together – this is one of the highlights of my job.

My boss Gerald MacKillop is from Gloucester and of course I told him I was bringing you to my next review!  I told him that when he called to congratulate me.

Please know that you made my day by your kindness and this wonderful honor; I am extremely grateful.

I have to go now, I have about four more notices to send you!

Gratefully and in friendship,

Tina


Here is her Obit from the Gloucester Daily Times(click this link for the entire obituary)

July 29, 2014

Tina Ketchopulos, 64

Rockport, MA — Mary C. “Tina” Ketchopulos, 64, died peacefully on Friday, July 25, 2014, at Addison Gilbert Hospital, surrounded by the comfort of her loving family and friends that she adored.

Dreamsteering

DreamsteeringRecently I joined a wonderful group of ukelists. Joe Cardozza is the Ukleadies simply amazing teacher. Everyone knows Joe from his musical partnership with RENEE and JOE MUSIC and from the Bandit Kings, but did you also know that he gives private music lessons in the comfort of your own home? For more information about Cardoza Music, visit Joe’s website here.

You can download RENEE and JOE’s first full length studio recording, Dreamsteering, here. I am a fan of Renee’s singing and so far, my favoirte track is their beautiful song “Molly,” but I haven’t yet had a chance to listen to the entire album of songs.

Dreamsteering was recorded in Gloucester at Bang a Song Studio, and was engineered and mixed by Tony Goddess and Jen Morrison.

Burnham’s Field renovation update July 22, 2014

Why is a grown man sliding down the slide of the new “tot” play structure? It’s project manager Steve Winslow with this week’s video update on the renovation of Burnham’s Field in Gloucester, Mass. Interview by John McElhenny of the Friends of Burnham’s Field. http://www.burnhamsfield.org

Friends of Seacoast Annual Seacoast Seven Road Race Thank Yous

THANK YOU

The Friends of Seacoast Annual Seacoast Seven Road Race was a huge success.  Runners from all of the state ran the 7K race throughout the beautiful scenic trail in Gloucester.

We are grateful to Patrick Thorpe, President of Bank Gloucester our generous race sponsor for their continued support of this annual race which has become one of our major fund raisers.

Lahey Health/Addison Gilbert Hospital, Rockport Mortgage, Lyons Ambulance, Cape Ann Savings Bank, Institution for Savings, and Good Morning Gloucester for sponsoring the tee shirts given to the runners and volunteers.
 
Care Dimension for sponsoring the registration table, and Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, for sponsoring the beverage table.

TLS @ Home, LLC, Mr. & Mrs. William Trayes, Howard Frisch, Pam & Victor Carabba, David Harrison DMD, Carroll K Steele Insurance, Merritt Capital Mgmt. and Liquor Locker for sponsoring Mile Markers.

Stop and Shop, and Market Basket for providing water, bananas, and power bars for the runners after the race. Gloucester Rental Center for providing the tent and David Cox our photographer. Rick Noonan of Cape Ann Coffee for generously providing coffee and pastry for all our volunteers.

Thank you Gloucester Daily Times. Ray Lamont, Nick Curcuru and Christine Parisi. Mike Page of North Shore Timing who timed the runners. Kevin Lyons of Lyons Ambulance Service for sending an EMT team to insure the safety of the runners. Larry Ryan for his design of the race tee shirts and Sue Dahl for her graphic art work designing our web site and poster for our race. Steve Figurido of Tony’s Variety for donating the ice.

The success of every organization is dependent on the people who give selflessly of their time and money. The Friends of Seacoast are fortunate to have so many of these people insuring that the residents stay connected to the community. Their efforts provide the entertainment on a daily basis.  Harbor rides, dining at area restaurant, dinner shows at Seacoast, gifts at Mother’s and Father’s Day along with Christmas. This next week they will go to the races at Suffolk’s Down, and many more events that would not be possible without the Friends of Seacoast.

It all starts with our capable Activities Director Alison Cox, our Administrator Stephen Doyle and our Friends of Seacoast members, Chairperson, Lisa Leahy, our Race Director JD Mac Eachern, Maryanne Amero, Angela Ciaramitaro, Joey Ciaramitaro, Pat Ciaramitaro, Rosalee Nicastro, Buzz Mc Eachern, Sam Santuccio, Donna Saunders, Grace Simpson, Vincie Scola, Mary Spinola, Paul Spinola, and Rita Stapulonis and our Junior Members Nick Carey and Mylee Grace Nicastro.

A special thanks to all the volunteers who helped on the day of the race, Joan and Fred Bishop, David Amero, Brian Carey, Mark Leahy, James C. Greely III, John Lattof, Dennis Doolan, Lee Scola, Donna Lupo, Vinny Woodhams, Lee O’Leary, Fire Chief Eric Smith, Laurie Smith, Alan Hagstrom, Mark Hubbard, and J. Ron Ross. Linda Morrison who gave complimentary therapeutic massages to those runners in need of it.

Each year we receive the support of the Gloucester Police Department who provide the lead car and manage the course and it’s traffic to insure the runner and public are safe during this road race, We are grateful to Police Chief Lennie Campanello and the Gloucester Police Department Lt. John Mc Carthy, Lt. Dave Quinn, Sgt. Anthony Parisi and Officer Peter Cherry, Peter Sutera, and Joseph Parady.

Tom Lattof
Friends of Seacoast

The Gloucester Haiku Project

 

photo-2-1Howdy Joey and Kim,

I’ve been meaning to send this your way, but we’ve been busy, busy, busy. I was wondering if you could help spread the word about The Gloucester Haiku Project. We’re asking folks–residents and visitors–to write a haiku or two about Gloucester. The subject matter can be anything, from the beauty of the back shore to our glorious pothole riddled streets. Anything, as long as it has to do with Gloucester. We’re looking for small poems from everyone, not just poets. We’ve been getting quite a few from kids, which is fantastic.

We’ll be collecting haiku until August 31, after which we will choose the best and publish them in a poetry chapbook this fall via Lit House Press. We’ve even set up a little box outside our shop at 261 Main St. for folks to drop their haiku off, maybe while they’re picking up bread at Alexandra’s or pet supplies from Animal Krackers. We’re also taking submissions online at: The Eastern Point Lit House Gloucester Haiku Project.

Thank you for all you do to bring this community together! And we’ll be expecting haiku from the two of you for sure!

Cheers!

Chris (Anderson)

ghp_forweb

Market Basket Boycott Interview With Manager Bob Mitchell Gloucester MA 7/22/14

Cutting right to the heart of the Market Basket Boycott, asking point blank and clearing up any misconceptions about the employees mission.

DSC06613

DSC06615

Hooray for Pathways for Children’s Brand Spanking New Butterfly Garden!

Pathways for Children we ©Kim Smith 2014HOLY CANNOLI and WOW–look how fantastically the Pathway’s Staff is taking care of their brand new one-month old butterfly garden–every plant looks well-loved!!!

Pathways for Children Butterfly Garden ©Kim Smith 2014 copy

Pathways for Children Butterfly Garden BEFORE ©Kim Smith 2014 copySpring 2014 Before Photo

Pathways for Children Butterfly Garden  After ©Kim Smith 2014.

Same View After Photo ~  July 18, 2014

Elizabeth's Toad ©Kim Smith

Toads Welcome!

My sincerest thanks to Caroline Haines for her vision to create a butterfly garden for the children at Pathways. 

Thank you to the many donors who have made the butterfly gardens at Pathways possible. 

Thank you to the Manchester Garden Club for their tremendous assisitance in planting the garden.

Thank you to the volunteers from Liberty Mutual for tearing out the old plantings.

And special thanks to Bernie Romanowski, Pathways for Children facilities director, for all his hard work and his extraordinary care and attention to detail, from the project’s inception through its continued maintenance. Pathways for Children Butterfly Garden Zinnia ©Kim Smith 2014. Pathways for Children Butterfly Garden Sunflower ©Kim Smith 2014.Pathways for Children Butterfly Garden Milkweed ©Kim Smith 2014.Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) ~ Notice the pretty moth nectaring from the milkweed in the upper right. The gardens are alive with pollinators of every species imaginable, including butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, songbirds, moths, and sundry insects!Bernie Romanowski ©Kim Smith 2014 copy

 Bernie Romanowski

Manchester Garden Club at Pathways ©Kim Smith 2014Manchester Garden Club

*    *    *

Antennae for Design ~

The architectural details of the trellis and picnic table were designed to be a coordinated focal point in the garden and planned to be stained a classic seaside blue. Why would we want to paint or stain the trellis and not simply allow it to gain a weathered patina? From an aesthetic point of view, the wood used for both the picnic table and trellis are two different types and will age very differently from each other. If this were a very large garden, it wouldn’t matter so much, but in a cozy garden room such as this, the difference will become quite noticeable and unappealing over time. Additionally, the blue will offset the flowers and foliage handsomely and is a cheery choice with children in mind.

From a very practical standpoint, untreated wood will quickly degrade in our salty sea air and neither piece will last more than ten years without protection. An opaque stain is the best solution because as the trellis and picnic table age, the obvious differences in wood will be disguised. An opaque stain also requires the least amount of effort to maintain over time.

Rotting untreated trellis ©Kim Smith 2014The above is a photo of untreated trellis, allowed to weather, and was installed approximately ten years ago.

_DSF8394 Pathways for Children Butterfly Garden school bus ©Kim Smith 2014.

Gloucester PD was able to raise $3,770.00 IN Toss Your Boss Challenge

Here’s Chief Campanello-

908

Hi Joey,
I just wanted to thank your readers and everyone who supported the Special Olympics “Over the Edge” and “Toss Your Boss” Fundraiser this past weekend at the Hyatt Regency in Boston. Gloucester PD was able to raise $3,770.00 and counting. I would like to especially thank our 3 biggest supporters: GORTONS, ST. PETERS CLUB, and PETER AND KATHY COAKLEY. and of course thanks to all who contributed to make this a success.
Scaling down a 23 story building is not my first choice of a Saturday activity. But I can tell you that the money raised was well worth it and the special athletes who were there to cheer you on was a big boost to anyone who was apprehensive. My “toss” went at 1pm and there were several Chiefs from neighboring communities to make sure I knew how high up I was. They also did me the great favor of filling out my “fun facts” sheet (which the event organizers read over a speaker system as you are descending). Because of this, I was able to learn all sorts of new things about myself, such as how I had always wanted to be a firefighter, but was afraid of heights or how I had special place in my heart for puppies and “My little pony”, or best of all, how I had a tattoo on my left calf of Barry Manilow. With friends like this supporting you…how could a Chief go wrong? It was all in good fun and when your dangling 200 ft. above concrete, it was nice to have a chuckle.
Was hoping to have some pics for you…haven’t got them yet. Much thanks to all who contributed.
Respectfully,
Leonard Campanello
Chief of Police
City of Gloucester, MA

Burnham’s Field renovation – VIDEO update

From John McElhenny-

Joey,

Did someone say “the new playground equipment has arrived”? It’s a HUGE week in the renovation of Burnham’s Field in central Gloucester. Here’s your Burnham’s Field renovation video update.

– John McElhenny, Friends of Burnham’s Field www.burnhamsfield.org

The One Country Where Bookstores are Not Crashing and Burning, and Why

Very interesting article from the New York Times, Sunday June 20th.

By Elaine Sciolino

The French Still Flock to Bookstores

PARIS — The French, as usual, insist on being different. As independent bookstores crash and burn in the United States and Britain, the book market in France is doing just fine. France boasts 2,500 bookstores, and for every neighborhood bookstore that closes, another seems to open. From 2003 to 2011 book sales in France increased by 6.5 percent.

Read the complete article here.

I especially wanted to share the conclusion of the article with GMG readers. What a great idea!

A 59-page study by the Culture Ministry in March made recommendations to delay the decline of print sales, including limiting rent increases for bookstores, emergency funds for booksellers from the book industry and increased cooperation between the industry and government.

“Running a bookstore is a combat sport,” the report concluded.

One tiny operation determined to preserve the printed book is Circul’livre.

On the third Sunday of every month this organization takes over a corner of the Rue des Martyrs south of Montmartre. A small band of retirees classify used books by subject and display them in open crates.

The books are not for sale. Customers just take as many books as they want as long as they adhere to an informal code of honor neither to sell nor destroy their bounty. They are encouraged to drop off their old books, a system that keeps the stock replenished.

“Books are living things,” said Andrée Le Faou, one of the volunteer organizers, as she hawked a three-volume biography of Henri IV. “They need to be respected, to be loved. We are giving them many lives.”

LIVRES-popup

Happy 21 x 2 Ann Margaret Ferrante!!

Happy Birthday Ann Margaret!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!

See loads more photos here

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!

Clean Team Gloucester YMCA ©Kim Smith 2014

Emma Thomas, Josh Billings, Tia Strong, Austin Smith, Brendon Strong, Reuben James, and Philip Hinckley (left to right)

Thank You Pauline Bresnahan From Pauline’s Gifts

For making this special flag for my Beannie’s Birthday sail Smile

Check her out on Facebook – Pauline’s Gifts On Facebook

She does custom mailboxes, flags, you name it.

DSC06389DSC06370DSC06372

and Captain Heath Ellis For hanging it for us.

DSC06385

Pauline’s Gifts was voted number one gift shop on Cape Ann –

image

512 Essex Ave Rt 133

Gloucester, Massachusetts

(978) 281-5558

Today 11:00am – 5:00pm

http://www.paulinesgiftshop.com/