Category: Good eggs

Community Stuff 7/11/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Terry Weber writes-

It may be summer, but things are not slowing down at the Gloucester Writers Center. The summer kicked off with the Life is the Poem party, celebrating Vincent Ferrini’s birthday. At the party it was announced that a book would be published next spring containing poems that Ferrini wrote to his friends and colleagues on Cape Ann. If you have a poem you would like to share, send a copy to the Gloucester Writers Center at 126 East Main Street in Gloucester.

The Finish Line Writers Group and the Center also hosted bestselling author Brunonia Barry who talked about her transition from self publishing all the way to the New York Times bestseller list. Ms. Barry, who is from Salem, is the author of "The Lace Reader" and "The Map of True Places." A big thank you to Ms. Barry for her informative and entertaining talk, and for answering dozens of questions about the self-publishing.

Check out the calendar of summer events and workshops at the Center by visiting www.gloucesterwriters.org. Summer is not an excuse to ignore your inner writer! 🙂

Pictured: Brunonia Barry, front left, meets a few of the writers from the Finish Line Writers Group at the Gloucester Writers Center.

Brunonia Barry at the GWC

July 20 Gloucester Health Fair!

Hi Joey!

Wicked awesome to see you on Chronicle last night, that was so exciting!  You did a great job!  We are so lucky to have you as one of Gloucester’s own and finest!!!!  You help us all so much and in such a fun and positive way, what did we ever do before you and Good Morning Gloucester came along huh?  I don’t know! 

Well we are gearing up for our 1st ever Gloucester Health & Wellness Fair to be held next Friday, July 20 at The Gloucester Senior Center.  Here is the flyer we created with our sponsors so far.  If you could please include it in one of your upcoming posts, that would be fantastic.  Thanks again for everything!

Carol

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Lemonade Stand Today To Benefit The Cardone Family- Fire Victims

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Hey Joe, 
This is Brieana, I work at Seacoast on Atlantic Shores I take care of your Dad, was wondering if you could do me a favor and advertise on Good Morning Gloucester tonight, that my 6 year old  daughter Bailee Militello will be having a lemonade stand July 11th from 2:30-4:30 p.m. to raise money for the Cardone family who lost alot in the fire on Ashland Place , they have kids that lost alot of clothes and toys, so my daughter wants to raise money to help the kids, the lemonade stand will be in front of my house 29 East Main Street, just a good old fashion lemonade stand and I’m sure I’ll do all the running back in forth refilling pitchers while she looks cute and sells, Thank you!!
Brieana Saunders Militello

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Woodpecker Brought Back From The Dead

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey:  I had a woodpecker fly into my window on Saturday.  I hydrated
him and guess what, after several minutes he gladly flew away.  Yeah!
Susan LaRosa

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For All You Social Media Neophytes- Listen To My Boy Ryan Pinkham- The Man Knows His Stuff

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Ryan Pinkham just graduated from Northeastern with a marketing degree.  He is a local man done good and believe me when I tell you he knows his social media marketing.

Ryan is part of a group of young Gloucester adults who have restored faith in the youth of our city.  There are a group of young men and women in their early 20’s in town that I’ve been completely blown away by in the past year as to how much they have their shit together.  Educated, well dressed, well mannered, responsible hard working people that make me think that as good as it is right now in Gloucester, the best is yet to come if people like this are our future.

There seems to be a whole group of them, people like Rebecca Linquata, Erica Mitchell, Joe LaRocca, Mike Torres, Ty Rogers, Jon Vizena, Shannon McCarthy, Steven Fletcher, Lily Linquata, Austin Souza, Liv Hauck, David Brooks, Dawn Gadow,  the list goes on and on…  all really good people that have made me think that the future is really looking bright if these are our future leaders.

So follow along with Ryan’s insights in his column on marketing yourself and your business

Here’s just one excerpt and following the excerpt is a link to a feed of all his latest musings on social media marketing-

7 Things People Love More Than Being Sold To

JULY 6, 2012 BY RYAN PINKHAM LEAVE A COMMENT

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People do not love being sold to.

Whether it’s hanging up on a telemarketer, slamming the door on a salesman, or driving their car until the wheels fall off in an effort to avoid the sales pitch at the car lot—most people don’t respond well to sell, sell, sell.

But there are things  they do love—or at least love more than being sold to. And those things can actually be used to improve your chances of making the next big sale and driving business results for your brand.

Here are seven things people love and how they can be used to get more results from your email marketing. [Read more…]

Link to follow Ryan Pinkham’s marketing column here

You can also follow him on twitter, he’s one of the more interesting people I follow on a daily basis- @RyanPinkham

Look for an upcoming interview here on these pages

Cheryl Has Some Nice Things To Say

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

Thank you so much for putting together such a great blog!!!  I look at it every morning (for about the last three years) with my coffee before I start work, and it really makes my day!  Wish I were there most of the time, but for now, it will have to be summer vacations. Your blog alerts me when there are good deals to be had on Groupon for whale watching and the Thomas E. Lannon cruises, and the best places to eat to add to my list of many favorites,  so thank you very much for that!  I also look forward to looking at the Business webcams and so many of them are down.  I don’t know why, and there may be a good reason for this but I really miss being able see Main Street, it always makes me feel as if I am there.  Is there a possibility of them coming back online?  If not, I will stop looking for it.  Just thought I would ask!

Thanks again for all your time and effort, it is really appreciated far and wide!

See you this summer for some lobstas!

Cheryl

After The Trophies Are Handed Out and The Glory Fades There’s Still Work To Do

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Those that know me know that power tools and me are generally not the best of friends.  I am not ashamed to say that Sista Felicia is probably 20 times more skilled with powertools as I am.  That’s a combination of how great she is with them and how god awful I am.

But after the fun and glory of the Horribles Parade award ceremony the part that no one looks forward to is the dismantling of the float. 

Finished and Trailer returned at 9:30PM!

Sweat equity baby!

Thanks Ed, Ron, Felicia, BJ, Barry and Amanda

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Please patronize these GMG Approved Community Minded Businesses

gimmesound_final

gimmesound.com — local live music listings.  Find every live music show in Gloucester and Cape Ann — listen to music on-line & download — all for free.

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The Lone Gull is a family owned coffeehouse located on Main Street in historic downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts. Our ideal location makes us a great place to stop for a drink or a bite to eat, to chat with friends, or to have a business meeting. We offer free wi-fi to our customers, extremely comfortable couches and chairs, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

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Stones Pub

Stones is a small comfortable neighborhood pub in Gloucester, MA, America’s oldest seaport! We offer homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts all made on premises before your eyes in the open kitchen. The delicious smells welcome when you come in the door to a warm greeting.

Ed Collard House Doctors Handyman Services

Passports Restaurant

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Noble Electricians

978-283-0750

Steve Noble who does so much community work donating his time toward many great causes.

Robert Heidt

The new executive director of the Chamber of Commerce says that Good Morning Gloucester does so much for the community that he wanted to personally be a sponsor of the 2012 GMG horribles parade float

Circle Consulting

Donna Ardizzoni and Rick Moore

With Circle Consulting, small and mid-size companies can cost-effectively leverage world-class technology experience. We keep up with the latest developments in the rapidly changing technology sector, so you can focus on your core business. Let us do what we do best so that you can do what you do best.

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Gloucester Bytes

Tim Blakeley From Gloucester Bytes the man who made the Gloucester Webcam project possible!

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Greg Harris Brierwood Landscaping (978) 281-7564

for letting us use his trailer

Thank You to Our Sponsors, Our Float Builders, Our Walkers, Our Music and The Parade Organizers- GMG- Winner Most Creative Float

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 

Sista Felicia writes up the thank yous-

Barry, best husband and kindest man in the whole world, he has supported my crazy creative projects for many years and always does it with a smile, never complains , never looks for thanks or credit, very much likes to stay under the raider………if it were not for him this year this float would have never happened…I really mean that…. he worked hard hauling lumber in and out of his truck, for days, splitting used pallets of wood up, removing bolts and nails with the sawzall for hours cutting measuring nailing painting & the list goes on and on…. absolutely crazy what he did for us this year to make this happened… their was no possibly way we could have afforded to buy all that wood & would have never been able to pull my giant plan for this huge pot off with out MY BARRY ….

Ed……..The man that does  what ever is asked of him & always with a smile, for his assistance with the construction and guidance too many things to list  and for putting up with me…

Craig…..helped with construction & painted the logo…Outstanding job! Wow he has talent….& just a really great guy

Deanna Ouderkerken… ..as always the best neighbor ever….painting, building,sewing crafting assembling driving to NH to get the confetti launchers and being our lead dancing Hommie! Best Hommie 2nd year in a row

Joe Santisi……… helped painting wood and splitting up pallets along with removing nails

Ma……..cutting letters,crafting,sorting candy, shopping for supplies with me ,packing up the tailgate supplies ,ironed for hours…was my second set of hands

BJ……… helped with construction, removing bolts splitting pallets,shopping for candy, hauling supplies in and out of the house for days, filled all water supplies loaded car withs with tools supplies, candy, food, squirt gun patrol, in charge of confetti launching

Amanda……… crafted shopped for supplies, helped with construction, cleaned Uncle Joes Truck for hours, prepared last minute food for tailgate sorted and organized candy with grandma, was my assistant with what ever I needed at the moment( Basically my kids need a break from hearing me yell their name…knowing another task i needed help with

Frank Ciolino……. picking up the trailer with Ed, packed all the coolers with drinks & ice, loaded all the tailgate food into his truck and helped the guys with the last minute construction, did pretty much what ever was need to help us leave the house, followed the float to make sure it made it through the streets ok ( also thank you to Joes Wife for stopping by to help load the cars and coolers)

Steve Noble……. from Noble Electricians , rewired giant lobster eyes

Joey Marcantonio………. Squirt gun patrol, to keep the pretty girls along the Rt cool, fog machine assistant, and confetti launcher

Caylee DeSilver…….. helping load the trucks with candy and supplies,costumes, walked the parade handing out candy, helped me with last minute cooking

Donna Ardizzoni painting………helping with assembly and crazy Dancing Homie!

Ron Gilson…….painting the back side of the giant lobster, and helped at my house for 2 days assisting anyone who needed something…really sweet man

Paul Frontiero…….T-Shirt Printing

Kim Smith…… getting last minute things at the grocery store for me… helping Ma cut out last minute letters, helping pack up the food for the tailgate party

Jeremy Frost …….Barrys" Wing Man" last minute construction at the high school, he was the man in charge of "everyone stuff in the truck".. From cameras, to lipstick to keys, extra shoes, pocketbook’s, and He was my sticker man, My Candy Man, and my confetti launcher man, helped get the float back to the house,and unload the aftermath of the float, parade and tailgate party in my truck all back into my house

Rick Ardizzoni….. Donna husband helping with last minute assembly at the high school

Vicki……. for sound, and last minute decorating on float at the high school

Marlie Melvin……. candy girl, helped with last minute decorating

Micayla Ciolino…… help load supplies and food onto trucks, packed coolers with drinks, walked in parade on candy partol

Niko……. Frank Ciolino nephew … great kid so helpful …super sweet assisting at high school to do what ever was need to finish the float and pack up the taigate stuff, also was on candy duty dressed up in a lobster costume!

Kyle Frost….. squirt gun patrol, to keep the crowd cool ! fog machine assisant, confetti launcher

Tanya Frost……. Keeping me Hydrated along the parade Rt.. and completed last minute decorating, helped set up and break down the food for the tailgate party, was my spotter for kids safty along the parade RT

Talor Frost …..Candy girl

Jolie Frontiero…… The dancing Candy girl

Joanne Frontiero……. spotter for kids safety along the parade Rt..

Eloise  Mad Pie & The Mrs……… Candy girls

****Huge THANK YOU….to our Sponsors for their very generous donations

Please patronize these GMG Approved Community Minded Businesses

gimmesound_final

gimmesound.com — local live music listings.  Find every live music show in Gloucester and Cape Ann — listen to music on-line & download — all for free.

image

The Lone Gull is a family owned coffeehouse located on Main Street in historic downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts. Our ideal location makes us a great place to stop for a drink or a bite to eat, to chat with friends, or to have a business meeting. We offer free wi-fi to our customers, extremely comfortable couches and chairs, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

image

Stones Pub

Stones is a small comfortable neighborhood pub in Gloucester, MA, America’s oldest seaport! We offer homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts all made on premises before your eyes in the open kitchen. The delicious smells welcome when you come in the door to a warm greeting.

Ed Collard House Doctors Handyman Services

Passports Restaurant

image

Noble Electricians

978-283-0750

Steve Noble who does so much community work donating his time toward many great causes.

Robert Heidt

The new executive director of the Chamber of Commerce says that Good Morning Gloucester does so much for the community that he wanted to personally be a sponsor of the 2012 GMG horribles parade float

Circle Consulting

Donna Ardizzoni and Rick Moore

With Circle Consulting, small and mid-size companies can cost-effectively leverage world-class technology experience. We keep up with the latest developments in the rapidly changing technology sector, so you can focus on your core business. Let us do what we do best so that you can do what you do best.

image

Gloucester Bytes

Tim Blakeley From Gloucester Bytes the man who made the Gloucester Webcam project possible!

image

Greg Harris Brierwood Landscaping (978) 281-7564

for letting us use his trailer

GMG Float 2012 Horribles Parade Winner “Most Creative” Video

Posted on by capeannpainter

GMG Float 2012 Horribles Parade Winner “Most Creative”

Congrats Felicia and all who put together the Float and Marched in the Parade.

You People Were A Very Positive Force Moving Through The Streets Of Gloucester!

Don’t look Now But McDonalds In Gloucester May Be The Classiest Designed McDonalds of All Time

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

They went from clown yellow and harsh red to a tasteful textured rock front.

God bless the owners of McDonalds in Gloucester for putting in a fantastic re-do on whatr was formerly a monster eyesore.

2012-07-02 08.38.40

2012 Good Morning Gloucester Float Construction In Full Swing

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Craig Kimberley, Ed Collard, BIL Barry,Mammaw, Deanna, BJ, Joey and Frank Ciolino and Sista Felicia have been all out busting hump to make it happen. 

Props to our awesome sponsors!!!!

Please patronize these GMG Approved Community Minded Businesses

gimmesound_final

gimmesound.com — local live music listings.  Find every live music show in Gloucester and Cape Ann — listen to music on-line & download — all for free.

image

The Lone Gull is a family owned coffeehouse located on Main Street in historic downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts. Our ideal location makes us a great place to stop for a drink or a bite to eat, to chat with friends, or to have a business meeting. We offer free wi-fi to our customers, extremely comfortable couches and chairs, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

image

Stones Pub

Stones is a small comfortable neighborhood pub in Gloucester, MA, America’s oldest seaport! We offer homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts all made on premises before your eyes in the open kitchen. The delicious smells welcome when you come in the door to a warm greeting.

Ed Collard House Doctors Handyman Services

Passports Restaurant

image

Noble Electricians

978-283-0750

Steve Noble who does so much community work donating his time toward many great causes.

Robert Heidt

The new executive director of the Chamber of Commerce says that Good Morning Gloucester does so much for the community that he wanted to personally be a sponsor of the 2012 GMG horribles parade float

Circle Consulting

Donna Ardizzoni and Rick Moore

With Circle Consulting, small and mid-size companies can cost-effectively leverage world-class technology experience. We keep up with the latest developments in the rapidly changing technology sector, so you can focus on your core business. Let us do what we do best so that you can do what you do best.

image

Gloucester Bytes

Tim Blakeley From Gloucester Bytes the man who made the Gloucester Webcam project possible!

image

Greg Harris Brierwood Landscaping (978) 281-7564

for letting us use his trailer

Bike Riders and the Horribles Parade From John McElhenny

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Legendary Head of Hair, Skinny Jeans Wearing, King of The YMCA Basketball Courts, HUGELY INFLUENTIAL  John McElhenny writes-

I heard some bike riders are going to have a posse riding in the Horribles Parade (see below). I’m going to pull some strings to get them riding in the middle of the road right in front of your GMG float, just to mess with you.

image001I want YOU!
To ride a bike.
July 3rd Horribles parade
GHS Parking lot * 5:00 pm
Wear a cape or a mask!
be a hero!
FAMILY FRIENDLY !

It’s Giveback Time- Sean Sends This One Out To All His Gay Fans

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

In honor of the upcoming Gay Pride parade in Salem this weekend Sean wanted to give back a little something to  his legion of  fans.

For more info on the parade-

For more information visit www.northshorepride.org or www.facebook.com/northshorepride

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Dog Park News From Christopher Lewis

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Joey:

Anne and Christopher Lewis held a party for major donors to the Dog Park along with the Dog Park Construction Team. Everyone was updated on the significant progress that has been made this Spring.We would very much appreciate some space in GMG to tell people about the progress and that we only need to raise a further $65,000 to complete the project.

Rev View copy

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June 24, 2012,   Dog Park News 

On Sunday, June 24, 2012, Anne and Christopher Lewis hosted a party, at their home in East Gloucester for major donors to the Dog Park along with the Dog Park Construction team. Among the attendees were: John Dugger, Chair of the Dog Park committee along with construction team member, Nikki Bach of Inside Edge Builders together with major donors, who included Jason and Shelly Sevinor of Salem Plumbing in Gloucester, Anne Lewis, ‘The Cat Doctor of Gloucester,” and Beth and Linzee Coolidge of the Dusky Foundation.” Major donations totaling $151,500 have been committed by seven individuals, three corporations and one foundation. Completion of the project will require further donations of $65,000. The Dusky Foundation will match the first $25,000. If you would like to help us finish the project , please call 978 879 9283

Construction
Construction is under way at Stage Fort Park. The foundation has been built and the sheds, which were built by the Gloucester High School carpentry shop students under the guidance of Dana Griffin, are in place on the foundation of the entryway. This has all come about thanks to the donated services of the building committee working on a landscape plan by Hugh J. Collins Associates of Wenham.

Entryway and Dog Shelters
The Landscape designer is currently working on a detailed plan for the tree and plant layout and water needs. As soon as a trench is made for the water line, the entryway will be completed. All materials for the entryway pergola will be donated by Precision Roofing and Timberline. Two anonymous donations have been received for the large dog area and small dog area shelters.

Water Station and Solar power
Arrangements have been made with the City of Gloucester to tap the City water main. After this is completed it will then be possible to install the water stations in the large dog and small dog areas. These stations have been donated by Shelly & Jason Sevinor of Salem Plumbing Supply in Gloucester and Dr. Ray Cahill of Seaport Veterinary Hospital. The building committee is working with a potential donor on the installation of solar panels.

Timeline
The best estimate for the grand opening of the Dog Park is late fall 2012 or early spring 2013.  This depends on how the transplanted trees grow, which will determine when the final grading can be done and the fence installed.

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Jason Sevinor of Salem Plumbing in Gloucester, Dr. Ray Cahill of Seaport Veterinary Hospital, Shelly Sevinor, John Dugger, Chair of the   Dog Park Committee, Chef Kim Johnson and Dr. Anne Lewis of the "Cat Doctor of Gloucester" at the major donor event in East Gloucester

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Linzee Coolidge of the Dusky Foundation and Maggie Cahill

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Suzyn Ornstein and B.J. Wayne, the artist and  musician, with "Thank you" dog Biscuits by Chef Kim

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Chef Kim Johnson, Shelly and Jason Sevinor of Salem Plumbing in Gloucester with Dr. Anne’s dogs, Sangha and Kami

Take care — Christopher Lewis

Dave Sullivan Remembers Johnny Orlando

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Friday afternoon, we lost the nicest guy I have ever known – and one of the most respected and successful men in Gloucester. 

Johnny Orlando built a home for himself, his wife Sue, and three generations of children – literally with his own hands – on his lot on Perriwinkle Lane just above the flats where he kept his ten pots and the skiff he used to get to his boat, “Orlando’s Magic.” 

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Johnny graduated from Gloucester High School in 1959, two years ahead of Susan Favalora, and everyone knew they were made for each other.  They married and have been Gloucester’s “Sue and Johnny” ever since.  They raised two sons and three grandchildren; then postponed their retirement plans to tend to their great-granddaughter so her mother could finish her education.

Although my wife, Maggie, went to school with Sue and Johnny, I didn’t know him well until I was recovering from cancer while at the same time trying to make our house on Chapel Street livable.  Johnny just said, “Don’t worry about it” – and quietly took over responsibility for everything that needed to be done.  He even began calling in the morning to get me out of bed and out to the Boulevard for the daily walks he knew would hasten my recovery.  That’s the way Johnny was all his life – putting the needs of others first.

Johnny had a talent with carpentry, and applied it to helping build and enhance homes around Cape Ann, and then to teaching others how to deliver quality work as the high school’s shop teacher.  I couldn’t spend more than a few hours with Johnny around town without hearing, “Hey Mr. Orlando” from one of his former students who were now earning their own living and raising their own families.

When Johnny agreed to help me build my deck I was happy and honored.  He’s a great carpenter and he could look at my pile of lumber and know it would become a deck if we just kept working at it.  He taught me a lot, and I can still hear his response every time I asked him how my work looked – “Good enough for who it’s for!”  I’m proud to be a small part of “Orlando Brothers and Associates.”

Johnny loved fishing and would fish Ipswich Bay with his son Joe every day he could.  But he loved helping kids fish even more.  Last summer he took my grandkids out in the harbor – first around Ten Pound Island to catch some mackerel for bait, then over to Hammond Castle to catch stripers – and Johnny was perfectly content, without a rod of his own, watching the kids having fun.  He loved them and was loved greatly in return.

Johnny was always watching for fish.  Many mornings after walking with his brother Lenny on the Boulevard, they would have coffee at McDonalds then go home by way of Rocky Neck, Long Beach, then Pebble Beach, looking for the gulls that signaled bait fish in the water.

Johnny had a ten-trap license, and for years he just put them in the river behind his house.  When Sue no longer let him go out alone, he talked Lenny into getting his own ten traps and the two of them could be seen a couple of times a week ducking under the cut bridge on their way to their traps in the harbor. 

When he actually caught legal lobsters – and Johnny was a stickler with his measurements – he saved them until he could give them away to his granddaughter or friends.  He knew he could save money by just buying them at Market Basket, but then he wouldn’t have an excuse to be out on the water.

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Johnny’s vices were few – playing the slots at Lucky Seven or Foxwoods, a Captains or two at the Elks, a drive to North Conway, or just relaxing in the pool at Frenchman’s Reef in St. Thomas.  Mostly he loved to pamper Sue, help his friends and family, and enjoy summers in Gloucester.  A ride home with Johnny always included detours up Portagee Hill, past the Cut, or along the Back Shore, with Johnny commenting on how lucky he was to live in such a wonderful place.

Johnny was famous for having an eye for bargains, and he and Sue or his brother Lenny would scour Christmas Tree Shop for the triple markdown items.  Like many of their generation in Gloucester, Sue and Johnny were generous to a fault.  They never failed to remember birthdays and anniversaries with lavishly wrapped perfect gifts. Typical of their thoughtfulness, we arrived in Gloucester last summer to a dozen balloons waving from our front porch and a fully stocked refrigerator.

Spending time with Johnny – whether hauling traps, building the deck, walking the Boulevard, or chasing gulls – was, well, comfortable.  I cannot recall a harsh word, nasty comment, or angry expression in all our conversations over the many years we have been friends.  He’s the nicest guy I have ever known, my best friend; and I will miss him greatly.

Dave Sullivan
23 Chapel St
Gloucester

Happy 26th Wedding Anniversary To The McKechnie’s

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

…and what a way to spend it- Aboard the Most Beautiful Boat In Gloucester- The Thomas E Lannon on the Lannon’s 15th Birthday. 

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Dave is our Financial guy.  In my lifetime I’ve had I think 4 financial planners that I’ve worked with.  Every other one tells you everything you want to hear about personal service and how they are going to look out for you and every one except for Dave and his team at Beauport Financial let me down.

Dave will call me and say hey, it’s time to sit down and talk about your long term goals, where you’re at and how we can help get you where you need to be.  They take personal service to the next level and I can’t recommend them highly enough and without any reservation. 

It’s not just Dave you’re getting at Beauport either, my boy Kevin who works with Dave gets me the answers that I have questions to every single time and quickly and even the secretary is super nice and helpful.

So you know how I am with my recommendations, Dave McKechnie’s Beauport Financial gets my unequivocal without reservation top gold exemplary recommendation for your financial needs.

I receive no special treatment or financial gain by this endorsement I just want to share when I have great luck and experiences with someone or thing and Beauport Financial definitely falls into the category of great in my book.

Call them up or check out their website- they’re not just like every other financial planner that just wants to sign you aboard and then they forget your name.

http://beauportfinancial.com/

3 Heritage Way, Ste. 2  Gloucester, MA 01930

(978) 283-0748

JD Perry Infuriated By Good Harbor Trash This Morning

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joe,

I set out for an invigorating walk along Good Harbor Beach with my friend this morning but upon approaching the beach from Beach Road was assaulted by the pile of trash at the entrance to the footbridge.  As I neared the pile I thought, well at least the trash was carried out.  But then I started across the bridge and saw the carnage left behind from yesterday.  I was disheartened to realize our city is hosting a significant number of people who simply don’t care to keep the beach beautiful for the next wave of beach-goers.  The obvious solution is for everyone who enjoys this gem to actually carry out what they carry in; to be responsible for one’s own mess (we put a small dent in the mess by carrying out — all the way home — what we could when we left).  Also, it seems that the footbridge at Nautilus Road would be a good spot for one of the new-to-the-city BigBelly Solar Compactors (http://gloucester-ma.gov/index.aspx?NID=425), though I’m not sure if there are plans in place to do this.  Sorry to start the day with such an unsavory topic, but with the entire summer ahead of us, I thought some awareness of this scourge might help to stem the problem.

One of the pictures is similar to the GMG masthead picture except the foreground shows many hundreds of sparkling empty bottles littering the sand.

Thanks for helping to keep the city beautiful.

JD Perry

Good Harbor Beach near footbridge 5:40ish a.m. -- good place for a BigBelly Solar Compactor?

Good Harbor Beach 5:40 a.m., June 21, 2012 -- sparklers on sand are hundreds of discarded plastic bottles. Sad.

Good Harbor Beach, a little after 6:00 a.m., June 21, 2012 -- disrespect for this natural beauty, people just don't care

Good Egg Report From Terry Weber and a Lost Wallet Poll

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Terry Weber writes-

Hi Joey,

Just wanted to send a “shout out” to a security guard at the Addison Gilbert Hospital. I don’t know his name but he turned in my wallet which I had left there on Tuesday. He was an older gentleman and friendly. I am very grateful. Some might think it’s not big deal or that’s his job, but not everyone does their job. My wallet didn’t have a lot of cash in it, but replacing credit cards and my license would have been a pain.  Thank you! A ‘little’ deed means a lot.
Terry

lost-wallet

Terry also suggested I run a poll with thisand although I unquestionably would return the wallet I doubt anyone scummy enough to not return it would bother answering that they wouldn’t on the poll  so my guess it would be skewed.

Photos from the Relay for Life “Luminaria” Ceremony

Posted on by Matthew Green

To jump straight to a slideshow, click here.

Last night I stopped down for the Luminaria ceremony of the Relay for Life at Gloucester High School in the Newell Stadium.  On one hand, I wanted to be there in memory of friend and family members who have died from cancer (including my maternal grandmother and a high school classmate). On the other, I knew it would be a great opportunity for some inspirational photography…

Here’s an explanation from the Relay for Life website (with my photos from yesterday):

“Simple white luminaria bags are transformed and illuminated after dark at every local Relay For Life event. Each one is personalized with the name, photo, message or drawing in memory or honor of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer.  Each luminaria candle represents a person.  They are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends, coworkers and so much more!

As the sun sets at a Relay For Life event, luminaria lining the track illuminate the night and a hush falls over the event that had been filled with the sounds of celebration. Relay For Life participants, survivors and caregivers then gather together for the Luminaria Ceremony to remember loved ones lost to cancer and to honor those who have battled the disease.

As participants walk the track lined with luminara bags in reflection, a caregiver who has lost a loved one may find comfort from a fellow caregiver who has faced a similar loss. Meanwhile, a survivor gains hope and strength from others who have followed the same journey and survived. All resolve to keep fighting to save more lives so no more luminaria bear the names of those lost to the disease.”

I don’t know the details of how the relay works, but there are clearly different teams who are camping out.  They set up campsites with different themes and decorations. Here are a couple:

Click here for the full-size slideshow. There are a few pics not included elsewhere this post.

-Fr. Matthew Green

The Burnham’s Field Community Garden has a New Mural!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

John McElhenny submits-

 

Joey,
The Burnham’s Field Community Garden has a beautiful new mural designed and painted by the talented kids at Art Haven in Gloucester.  The mural was framed and put up at the garden over the weekend by volunteers Joe and Paula Axelrod, Aria McElhenny and Rocky Delforge.

The garden’s fence also features new vegetable sculptures that were designed and painted by the Art Haven kids with Rocky Delforge’s guidance. Public art by young local artists has officially arrived in central Gloucester’s largest green space!

The Burnham’s Field Community Garden just opened for its second season, part of a successful effort that is making Burnham’s Field cleaner, safer and more family-friendly. Come visit soon!
John McElhenny

Building the Frame
Building the Frame

Joe Axelrod (left) and Rocky Delforge build the frame for the new mural at the Burnham’s Field Community Garden.

Burnham’s Field garden sign team
Burnhams Field garden sign team

Volunteers Aria and Ruby McElhenny, Rocky Delforge, and Joe and Paula Axelrod stand next to the new mural.

Veggie sculptures on the fence
Veggie sculptures on the fence

Dozens of small sculptures of vegetables and flowers painted by Cape Ann Art Haven kids now decorate the garden’s fence.

Veggie sculpture sign

Veggie sculpture sign
A sign honors the young artists who created the sculptures.

Photos by John McElhenny

A Tremendous Night: Aran Patrican Friendship Skate, June 1, 2012 From JD Perry

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

This past Friday night, June 1, six teams came in from a beautiful sunny day to play in one of three games with and against friends at the Dorothy Talbot rink.  But this was more than just getting together for what could be the final skate of the 2011-2012 hockey season.  Each player paid to play in a friendly competition so they could memorialize Aran Patrican, who passed away suddenly from a heart infection in January – two weeks following the birthday of Thomas, his one year old son.  The night was a wonderful experience and such a success that we raised $2,620 for the growth fund set up to benefit his son’s education, the Thomas Patrican Scholarship Fund (http://www.thomaspatricantrust.com/Donation_Information.html).

This event brought together those who knew Aran, a decorated officer with the Gloucester Police Department, having skated with and against him during his lifelong hockey career – from youth hockey, through GHS and various teams in the Gloucester Industrial Hockey League, summer leagues, on the ponds, pick-up games, etc. – and friends of his friends.  Some of the guys who skated had the distinct honor of also being coached by him.  Additionally, we had a strong, albeit small (only 2 this year), contingent of women hockey players.

The games were competitive, but especially focused on having a fun time.  This carried from the locker rooms to the on-ice action then afterwards at Espresso’s.  The level of camaraderie that exists within the hockey community is rivaled by few other groups.  This was in evidence all night long and has been expressed to me by everyone with whom I have spoken since.  Whether breaking down a play from one of the games, retelling any number of Aran-centric stories — writ large because his presence always made it so, laughing, or commiserating; the night was special.  Emotions ran the gamut when the discussion turned to reflection.  Being granted the opportunity to catch up and hang out with old friends and teammates is a luxury that tends to fall by the wayside as life continues on and we grow out of some circles while new responsibilities and commitments crowd them out, necessarily.  So it was in this spirit that the event, highlighted by the culmination of so many positive elements, drew sincere appreciation by those who participated.

Special thanks go out to every single person who contributed to this event.  A few individuals deserve to be recognized by name because they ensured that this first annual Aran Patrican Friendship Skate lived up to its potential – which it did in spades.  Rusty Harnish, aside from refereeing the first game, helped oversee coordination of the event with Paul "Vuda" Genovese, Barry Clifford, Jimmy Marr, and Rob Bouchie.  Kim Philbrook and Eric Russell donated their time and officiating expertise to the cause by refereeing for the night.  And, obviously, we couldn’t have done this without the teams involved:  Vuda and Barry (Old Timers) vs. Doc Cunningham and Doug Grimes (JP Truckers), Doc Twombly and Mike Hale (Monday Night Crew) vs. Bob Cooper and Frank Souza (Diggers), and Doc T. and Mike H. (MNC II) vs. Tony Frontiero, Jr. and Tony "The Legend" Frontiero (Road Kill).  And, also, for the Gloucester Police Department – though we had a limited number of players from the force this year, they provided Doc Twombly with a uniform that he hung below the scoreboard to represent the spirit of Aran.

We look forward to the second annual Aran Patrican Friendship Skate which will take place in about a year.  Planning this event for 2013 will be done with more lead time than we had this year so we will be able to include many of the individuals and teams that couldn’t attend this year. 

We will also be organizing a similar fund-raising event in August.  The Patrican Brothers Memorial Golf Invitational "Classic" will memorialize both Aran and Ryan Patrican to support the Thomas Patrican Scholarship Fund.  Details on this event to follow.

Aran Patrican Friendship Skate Organizers 2012
The Aran Patrican Friendship Skate 2012 organizers
Back row (L to R):  Rusty Harnish, JD Perry
Front row (L to R):  Jimmy Marr, Paul “Vuda” Genovese, Barry Clifford, Rob Bouchie
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Old Timers
Old Timers
Back row (L to R):  Jim Douglass, Carl Wall, Dominic Sanfilippo, Darren Marques, Sean Cranston, Fred Parisi, Jimmy Marr, Connor Cranston, Tim Marques, Jake Dube
Front row (L to R):  JD Perry, Barry Clifford, Paul “Vuda” Genovese, Bob Marshall,  Dirk Wierbicky, and not pictured Rob Bouchie
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JP Truckers
JP Truckers
Back row (L to R):  Darrell Seppala, Steve Cahill, Doug Grimes, Marc Cunningham, Chris O’Brien, Nick Novello
Front row (L to R):  Pete Sutera, Jack Russ, Dana MacDonald, Steve Militello and not pictured Steve MacDonald, Kevin Riley
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Doc Twombly's Monday Night Crew
Doc Twombly’s Monday Night Crew
Back row (L to R):  Sean Keefe, Tom Callahan, Tad White, Nick Parisi, Mike Hale, Nate "bubba" Levie, Andrew Marques, Dave Smyth
Front row (L to R):  Doc Twombly, Jeff Towne, Myriam Callahan, Chris Seely, Ben Levie, Pete Smyth, Tiffany Bichrest
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Diggers
Diggers
Back row (L to R):  Jerry Ciaramitaro, Brian Horne, Jason Thibodeau , Mike Muniz, Robie Mac Laughlin, Bob Cooper
Front row (L to R):  Frank Souza, Sean Lyons, Jim Muniz, John Collins and not pictured Kevin Fitzpatrick 
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Doc Twombly's Monday Night Crew II
Doc Twombly’s Monday Night Crew II
Back row (L to R):  Tad White, Tom Callahan, Chris Seely, Mike Hale, Dave Smyth, Andrew Kirkaldy, Andrew Marques, Tiffany Bichrest, Myriam Callahan, Nate "bubba" Levie
Front row (L to R):  Doc Twombly, Jeff Towne, Pete Smyth, Nick Parisi, Sean Keefe, Ben Levie
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Road Kill
Road Kill
Back row (L to R):  Chad Movalli, Dave Collins, Adam Brown, Jason Harrington, Tyler Philbrook, McKenzie Quinn, Steve Philbrook, Rob Parsons
Front row (L to R):  Anthony Cusamano, Tony Frontiero Jr, Tony Frontiero Sr
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Rusty Harnish
Rusty Harnish
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Eric Russell and Kim Philbrook
Eric Russell and Kim Philbrook
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Respected
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Aran Patrican and Braeden Perry, 2011 Stanley Cup Championship series
Aran Patrican, Braeden Perry during 2011 Stanley Cup Championship series

Click below for the slideshow of pictures from JD Perry-

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