My View of Life on the Dock
Lisa Smith from Cape Ann TV send us this nice note along with her new PSA discouraging drugged driving.
Here is a Public Service Announcement we made with the Healthy Gloucester Collaborative and the Gloucester Youth Council about the consequences of drugged driving. We filmed it at Good Harbor and the Back Shore.
The Rose Baker Singing Seniors, under “Jayzee’s” direction. Seacoast Nursing Home, Gloucester. May 18, 2014
From Jorgelina Zeoli
All photos and video clips, courtesy of Judy Keith and Ray Spiecker.
The Rose Baker Singing Seniors, under “Jayzee’s” direction. Seacoast Nursing Home, Gloucester. May 18, 2014.
To book the Singing Seniors, please contact Jorgelina Zeoli at jayzee.miracles@gmail.com
Engaging the residents at Seacoast-
“Why teach?” you may ask. Well, here’s reason #9,827 why I do what I do.
A great day in the classroom.
Catherine Ryan writes ~
There were 10 adult presenters and each of us met with ½ the grade (5 classes each): Paul Goldberg Historic Photos, Joey Palmisano for NOAA, Jim Caulkett the Harbor Master, Leslie Bartlett for Granite, Catherine Ryan for the HarborWalk, Lara Lepionka for Cape Ann Gardeners, Paula Gray for UU History, Barbara Silberman for the Sargent House, Mary Ellen Lepionka for Native Americans, and Ramona Latham for the Trustees of the Reservation. Most of the other presenters were included somehow in the HarborWalk content — and the teachers mentioned that as one source! The teachers were fabulous and are committed to this project. Again this year all the 6th graders visited the HarborWalk (in the fall). The kids were engaged and enthusiastic, not exactly my doing, rather the material I had to work with, the teachers special build up to Gloucester History Day, and the dedication and uniqueness of the presentations before me! I wanted to sit in on all of them! Some of the students are working on projects and may have questions. Others wrote up a report for the whole day that they are sending into local media.
I handed out the large 11 x 17 sheet for the “hunt on the HarborWalk”. My son George had a smart twist on bingo and C7A’s map. Matt and Tom created a jazzy tear sheet announcing the movie series coming this summer (big enthusiasm for Jaws!) Virgilio’s was not only generous with offering a free Italian cookie (hopefully combined with a visit to the whale moment), but also such fun determining how we might track the $ value. He wants to split the cost with me and encouraged me to have the children write down an expiration date to encourage some urgency. He remembers fondly the school volunteering that he and his family and friends did for so many years.
The sweetest rewards may be from our youth!
So, you don’t think you benefit from tourists coming to Gloucester? Well …. do you like: having a choice of world-class restaurants you can walk to; our extraordinarily hot music music scene in all kinds of venues, including schooners; guaranteed parking at some of the most gorgeous beaches anywhere on Earth all summer long for only $20; living among award-winning museums, studios & galleries, Broadway-quality theatre; a thriving cultural economy … I could go on and on … OR perhaps your an artists, musician, photographer, writer, actor, chef, carpenter, plumber, contractor, fitness instructor, diver, ship’s captain, etc … OR you own or work in a hotel, restaurant, gallery, museum, boat, theatre, school or any retail store in Gloucester … or your business supports these people, like a lawyer, accountant, banker, realtor … Let’s face it, there’s really no business nor person in Gloucester who doesn’t benefit directly when tourists come here to share the City we all love. So come to Stage Fort Park on Thursday and see what the good people who work so hard to make tourism possible do every day to make your life better!
Monarch Butterflies Nectaring at Pink New Enlgand Aster, Gloucester
Thank you so much to our most awesome community for participating in the Cape Ann Monarch Milkweed and Aster Project. Today was a huge and wonderful success and we were non-stop with folks dropping in to pick up their seeds and learn more about how they can help the Monarchs. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
And my most heartfelt thanks to Joey. He nudged me into doing the sale again this year by inquiring just about a month ago if we were planning a repeat of last year’s plant sale. Joey’s hospitality and interest in everyone who stops by makes Captain Joe’s a wonderfully fun place to have a community event!
Note to anyone who could not pick up their seeds or who was planning to have them sent via a self-addressed stamped envelope: You will recieve an email with information on where to send the check and order amount total. Thanks again to everyone!
Fun fact about butterflies: Butterflies do not grow fur. The fur-like structures that you see on butterflies are many single cells conjoined to form one long string.
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In case you misplace the instructions on how to prepare your milkweed seeds for spring planting ~
Seeds of most temperate plants need to be vernalized—in other words, exposed to cold temperatures. The best way to vernalize is by stratification, which means subjecting seeds to a cold and moist environment for a short period of time. By stratifying, the seed’s natural break of dormancy that occurs when the seed spends the winter in the ground is simulated.
#1 Method of Stratifying Milkweed
Open the bag of seeds and place them between very slightly moistened paper towels in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. After vernalizing for 3-6 weeks, the seeds can be planted out in the garden in warm 70º soil.
#2 Method of Stratifying Milkweed
Place ¼ cup of sand mixed with ¼ tsp. of water in a plastic bag. Add the seeds and mix again. Store in plastic bag in the refrigerator. After vernalizing for 3-6 weeks, the seeds can be planted out in the garden in warm 70º soil.
Prepare the planting bed in a sunny location. Scatter seeds, or plant in rows, and cover with no more than ¼ inch of soil.
For natural vernalization, sow collected seeds directly into a prepared bed in the fall and the seed will germinate the following spring.
Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars Munching on Milkweed
Great Progress being made at Burnham’s Field!!! 
All photos courtesy Friends of Burnham’s Field
Melissa Cox shares a link to win a contest sponsored by Destination America to help fund our fireworks display. She writes, “Can you please share this link to a contest to support our wonderful Gloucester Fireworks show on the 3rd of July? You can vote once a day until May 16th.”
Looking good..
Ducks visiting Fred
Herb submits this funny video from last year’s event, with footage of uninvited guest Homie, who not only eats someone else’s soup, he makes a terrible mess, and tries to take the pretty bowl with him! My goodness Homie, such bad manners!
Paul McGeary writes for GMG:
“The city’s cleanup of its beaches continued this week. The work included installation of new signs at Good Harbor Beach. The signs, designed by Kathe German and Collette Knowlton of the Friends of Good Harbor organization will be erected at the main gate as well as at the Witham Street and Nautilus Road entrances to the beach. ”
Pictured are the installation crew, from left, Ed Parks, John Frost, Phil Curcuru, Dick Kelley and Joe Silva, along with Denton Crews of the Friends of Good Harbor.
Wellspring Supporters, left to right: Maggie Rosa, Dale Brown, Jan Bell (honoree), Frances Ferrante, and State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante
Kay O’Rourke Introducing Sara Hall
This year Jan Bell, Libby Hayes, and Sara Hall were recognized with the Wellspring Award for their legacies of service. Sara Hall was also the keynote speaker.
Patty Philbrick
There were 700 women attending the luncheon. After listening to the deeply inspiring stories of courage shared by four Wellspring participant speakers, I don’t think there was a dry eye there.
Wellspring’s President and Executive Director Kay O’Rourke writes in the program,”Together we find expression for our passions and talents in this great work we call Wellspring House. Together we bind up the wounded, mend the broken-hearted, house the homeless, and liberate minds through education.”
Corporate Sponsor Briar Forsythe, proprietor of Willowdale Estate (right) and Willowdale’s COO Melissa Thunberg
Jane Fonzo, Frances Ferrante, and Ann-Margaret Ferrante
Honoree Libby Hayes
Melissa Cox shares a link to win a contest sponsored by Destination America to help fund our fireworks display. She writes, “Can you please share this link to a contest to support our wonderful Gloucester Fireworks show on the 3rd of July? You can vote once a day until May 16th.”
Back row left to right: Martin Klugman, Joe Novello, Jim Flint, Terry Sands, Barry McKay, and John McElhenny
Front row left to right: Maggie Rosa, Linn Parisi, Donna Ardizonni, and Ann Straccia
To receive a Gloucester Citizenship Awards is a very special honor and it is truly only bestowed upon the most deserving. At the award ceremony last night the love and positive energy had by family and friends for these outstanding Gloucester citizens was palpable. 
Melissa Cox presenting Donna’s award, and sharing a funy story about removing dead seagulls from the beach.
Here at GMG we are very proud of all the recipients, but especially, especially proud that our own Donna Ardizonni was nominated for her good work with the One Hour at a Time Gang. 
We are very proud too of our GMG super FOB and friend John McElhenny for his stellar job in spearheading the Burnham’s Field improvements and in turning it into a gorgeous new community playground, garden, and park.
Mike English Honoring Terry Sands
On a personal note, I am also very proud that a very dear friend, Terry Sands, is one of this year’s honorees, for his extraordinary work directing (along with his co-director Mary Curtis) the fabulous Annisquam Village Players, for the past TWENTY- SEVEN YEARS!
Kay Ellis Honoring Linn Parisi for her work with Discover Gloucester
Each winner was honored by a friend or colleague and it was wonderful to learn about the roles they have played in making our beautiful community all the more beautiful. Gloucester is a very special place to call home and it is people like this year’s 2014 Citizenship Award recipients that make our city profoundly unique and, simply awesome! Our most heartfelt congratulations to the 2014 Citizenship Award winners!!!
Jim Flint for his work with the Lanesville Community Center
Marty Krugman for the Schooner Adventure
Joe Novello for the Saint Peter’s Fiesta
Barry McKay for the Rose Baker Senior Center
Maggie Rosa for City Hall Restoration and the Gloucester Educational Foundation
Anne Straccia’s Rescue Beagle Ellie
McElhenny Family
AVP Family
Sefatia Romeo Thekan and Ann Margaret Ferrante
Sefatia for Terry!
Donna and Rick and Family
Sefatia and Terry
McElhenny Family and AVP Family
CHURCH TO HONOR TEN RESIDENTS FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE
On Sunday, May 4, the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church will present Citizenship Awards to ten dedicated citizens (and one dog) for their selfless volunteer efforts on behalf of our city.
This year’s awardees will be Donna Ardizzoni, for her One Hour at a Time weekly cleanup efforts; Jim Flint, for spearheading the renovation and renewal of the Lanesville Community Center; Martin Krugman, for leading the restoration of the schooner Adventure; John McElhenny, for improvements to Burnham’s Field; Barry McKay, for his volunteer work at the Rose Baker Senior Center; Joe Novello, for helming the annual St. Peter’s Fiesta and keeping other traditions alive; Linn Parisi, for attracting tourism through Discover Gloucester; Maggie Rosa, for her work with the Gloucester Education Foundation and the preservation of City Hall; Terry Sands, for 23 years of musical theater productions at the Annisquam Village Players; and Ann Straccia and her rescue beagle, Ellie, for providing support and companionship to homeless people at the Grace Center.
The winners were nominated not just by members of the church but by individuals and organizations throughout the city. The final decision was made by the church’s Social Justice Committee. Many winners have no idea who nominated them and will not find out until they arrive at the ceremony.
The ceremony, which is informal, begins at 4 p.m. in the church sanctuary at the corner of Church and Middle Streets, with a reception downstairs in the church vestry to follow. Both floors are handicapped accessible. The event is open to all free of charge; freewill donations will be gratefully accepted. Sponsors of the program include Rockport National Bank, Cape Ann Savings Bank, Santander Bank, Jim’s Bagel & Bake Shop, The Dress Code, MAC Fitness, BankGloucester, and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Donna Ardizzoni
John McElhenny
Joe Novello
Ann Straccia
Martin Krugman
Jim Flint
Terry Sands
Maggie Rosa
Linn Parisi
What a treat to see Willowdale’s event tent decorated in Anthony D’Elia’s wonderfully fun and whimsical design for Thursday’s “Power of the Purse.” Upon arriving, I felt as though I had stepped into a Georges Lepape French fashion illustration from the early 1900s, when Orientalism was all the rage and summer garden fêtes were decorated in kind, and to the nines. 
The morning after the event, while the Willowdale crew and I were installing a new embroidered velvet curtain for the tent, I had the opportunity to meet Anthony as he and his staff were dismantling the decor. Anthony and his company, Revelation Productions, are responsible for many of the most stunning and beautifully produced special events held at Willowdale and venues throughout the North Shore and New England. Their creative and technical event services included imaginative décor, custom audio design, full spectrum video services, and gorgeous lighting. Visit their website for more information about Revelation Productions here.
The first two photos show how the parasols and lighting looked in daylight; below you can see how they appeared after sunset. I wasn’t the only one utterly captivated by the décor and Anthony received high praise from Briar, the Willowdale staff, and all attendees for his magical parasol and branch design.
Briar Forsythe, proprietor of Willowdale, donated the tent, her signature refreshments, and stellar staff to the “Power of the Purse,” as did Anthony donate his time and décor to the event. See previous posts about the Power of the Purse here.
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Georges Lepape (1887-1971) was a French fashion designer and illustrator, engraver, poster artist, book illustrator, costume, and textile designer. He collaborated and designed many covers for leading magazines of the day including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Femina, and The Art Sheets. See several more Georges Lepape illustrations here: Continue reading “Pure Whimsy!”
Lana Rudym, current President of the North Shore Women in Business and Sarah Boucher, Senior Sales and Marketing Manager, Willowdale Estate
Briar Forsythe, proprietor of Willowdale Estate, generously donated the venue, Willowdale signature refreshments, and outstanding staff.
Anthony D’Elia, owner of Revelation Productions, donated the stunning lighting and parasol design decor for the event. More about Anthony in an upcoming Antennae for Design post.
Kim Smith “May Basket” design for the courtyard urns.
Joey,
GoodMorningGloucester has done a great job covering the improvements to Burnham’s Field over the last four years so just wanted to share this news below — the official groundbreaking of the Burnham’s Field renovation project! It’s a good day for open space in the heart of Gloucester.
Thanks for all you do,
John McElhenny
Burnham’s Field groundbreaking this Saturday
After four years of planning and community meetings, the renovation of Burnham’s Field, the largest open space and playground in central Gloucester, is set to begin with an official groundbreaking this Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m.
Mayor Carolyn Kirk, City Councilor Melissa Cox and the Friends of Burnham’s Field invite friends, neighbors and anyone who cares about Burnham’s Field to attend the groundbreaking. All are welcome and invited.
The renovation is the first major upgrade to Burnham’s Field in more than 30 years. The renovation will include new playground equipment, swings, walking loop, lighting, fences, resurfaced basketball courts, a spray fountain for kids, trees and new bathroom.
Burnham’s Field is located on Pleasant Street across from St. Ann’s Church. Plans call for the work to be completed in time for the opening of the West Parish School at the former St. Ann’s School in late August so the kids will have a newly renovated Burnham’s Field to play on. For more information, contact John McElhenny at jmcelhenny@gmail.com
Lise Breen today at the HarborWalk, photo courtesy Joey Ciaramitaro
Thank you Beth Chiancola and Lise Breen for all your tremendous help today with the HarborWalk Cleanup. We are so appreciative, and so appreciative of the help given by Catherine Ryan, Susan Kelly, Jessie, George Ryan, Charles Ryan, Lise, and Beth on previous cleanup days. The gardens are finally beginning to show some life, with lots of new green growth emerging and now, with all the dried stalks removed, you can really see them springing back!
Vine from a HarborWalk cleanup day earlier in April
The Pictures Kim Didn’t Post-
Good Morning Gloucester 