An interesting story submitted by David Calvo:

Hello, Mr. Calvo.  

I’m Jason Chu, living in Korea.

I took your one-week class in 2015. Do you remember?

Your teaching was excellent, and I’m grateful.

And the beautiful scenery of Gloucester was so inspiring and unforgettable.

I still enjoy woodcarving. However, it’s hard to find people in Korea who enjoy it as a hobby.  So, I set up a small workshop in my home and work alone. Last year, I entered my woodcarving work for the first time in a local art competition and was honored to receive a special award. This December, I’ll be holding my first woodcarving exhibition. This is my first exhibition. I’m not a professional artist, but an amateur, so I’m not looking to make money.

I want to introduce people to woodcarving through this exhibition. So, the provincial government provided a small grant to hold this exhibition.

I’m 69 years old. My eyesight is deteriorating, so it’s going to be increasingly difficult for me to continue woodcarving. How many more years will I be able to continue?

I’m sending you a photo of my special award piece. In Korea, there’s a folk belief that tying dried pollack with a string wards off misfortune and brings good luck. So, I carved dried pollack out of wood. I’m sending you a few more pieces of my work and some photos I took there 10 years ago.

I’ve been receiving your emails with pleasure. Your emails bring back memories of that time there 10 years ago. I hope your workshop attracts many students and your classes are enjoyable.

I wish you continued health and happiness. And please give my regards to the owner of “The Colonial Inn,” where I stayed. I still remember his kindness and hospitality.

Regards, from Korea

Jason Chu

And more from David on background:

Here is the back story on Jason chu

Jason Chu 나무방 came all the way from South Korea (a two-day flight) to take a workshop. His son contacted me and said my father has wanted to learn woodcarving from you but he can’t speak English. He said, “is that going to be a problem?” I told him no, I don’t need words to teach him. He said “okay, I will sign him up.” So his father got his plane tickets and showed up on the first day of class. He did great in the workshop and he managed to learn everything through hand demonstrations. On his last day, he had a car service pick him up to drive him to the airport for his flight back to South Korea. As he was driving away, he stuck his head and hand out the window, looked back, waived and yelled “Bye Calvo” that was his english.

You might remember us from a while back in early June but we’re still waiting for our furever home together as we are a bonded pair!! Hopefully a second spotlight will help get us out of the shelter and onto a cozy couch or in a sunny window. Thanks again for your help 🙂

Breed	Domestic Medium Hair/Mix
Age	2 years 6 months 21 days
Gender	Female
Size	Medium
Color	White/Brown
Spayed/Neutered
Declawed	No
Housetrained	Yes
Special Needs

Meet Patches, this adorable 2 year old girl who just wants to hangout with her people. This sweet gal is a package deal and must go home with her sibling Pumpkin. Not only will Patches win you over with her pretty markings but her personality will shine bright as well. She loves getting chin scratches and enjoys following the humans around while they clean her condo here. Patches is a special needs adoption because she originally came from a multi-cat household where some of the other cats were diagnosed with kidney disorders that may have a genetic component. Patches has not shown any signs or symptoms and may not be genetically related to the previously affected cats. If you believe Patches and Pumpkin will be great additions to your family, apply online today! Patches & Pumpkin are now part of the extended stay club, and their adoption fee has been waived to help them find their forever home sooner.

You can apply for Patches here: capeannanimalaid.org/catapp

Meet Pumpkin, this lovely boy and his sister are looking for their forever family. Pumpkin is more reserved than Patches and will often be laying in his bed during the day and will make his way out to hangout with Patches later on. He’s been coming out of his shell more and more each day and will look around for his human friends now for some attention. Pumpkin is looking for a very specific home with a family who are understanding of his special needs. This boy came from a multi-cat home where some of the cats were diagnosed with kidney disorders that may be genetic. Pumpkin has not shown any signs and symptoms and may not be genetically related to the affected cats. This boy has also had some blood in his urine previously and while in our care. This has been evaluated and does not appear to be associated with bladder stones or crystals in the urine. We have started him on a special diet and are more than willing to discuss all of this further if you’re interested in adopting this sweet boy. Patches & Pumpkin are now part of the extended stay club, and their adoption fee has been waived to help them find their forever home sooner.

Species	Cat
Breed	Domestic Shorthair/Mix
Age	2 years 6 months 21 days
Gender	Male
Size	Medium
Color	White/Orange
Spayed/Neutered
Declawed	No
Housetrained	Yes
Special Needs

You can apply for Pumpkin here: capeannanimalaid.org/catappKind Regards,

______________________________________
Cape Ann Animal Aid

Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter
4 Paws Lane
Gloucester, MA 01930

(978) 283-6055

www.CapeAnnAnimalAid.org

www.facebook.com/CapeAnnAnimalAid

Earlier in the day .. Antonietta caring for the 2000 dahlias on the boulevard. Making all feel welcome and grateful for being in such a special place.

Time to cook the sausage

Settling In…

September 1, 2025 by prattbrandon

𝓣𝓸𝓭𝓪𝔂’𝓼 𝓢𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓪𝓵𝓼
🍕Buy any 18” Pizza get an 18” Cheese for $5
🍕Buy any 16” Pizza get a 16” Cheese for $5

🎉Additional Specials for today!
🦞$13.99 Lobster Rolls
🍔 $4.99 cheeseburgers w/ Chips & Pickles

When a friend visits and it’s Margarita Monday, you go to Seaport Grille on Rogers St to show off a li. We have the meal she was looking forward to and I had the pineapple jalapeño margarita….a whole bucket of it!

We will seek out our last official margarita of the summer Margarita Monday series later today. Maybe we’ll see you there? Who knows?

Another weekend in Gloucester another glorious event.

I mean if you’re not from here and come for this weekend do you go home to Middleton or Winchester or any of these other non coastal towns and question everything about your life?

If you were born here and never left do you have any perspective on how spectacular we have it to be able to experience these events in our back yards?

Bananas. Like bananas bananas (in the good context of bananas bananas)

Website: https://gloucesterapparel.square.site/

Railway Crossing…

AUGUST 28, 2025 ~ SAWYER FREE LIBRARY ~ 

The Sawyer Free Library is inviting the entire community to join in a fun-filled day of discovery, creativity, and history-making at its Community Celebration & Open House on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester.

As part of the festivities, the Library is launching a Library Card World Record Attempt — aiming to break the current record of 1,922 library card sign-ups in a single day. 🎯 New and renewing cardholders will receive a limited-edition commemorative Sawyer Free Library card as a keepsake from this exciting moment.

“A Library for Everyone” celebration marks the grand reopening of the newly renovated and expanded Sawyer Free Library, now a vibrant and inclusive center for learning, imagination, and community connection.

In addition to the record attempt, attendees can explore the library’s transformed spaces and enjoy live music including Gloucester Student Band, engaging presentations, children’s programs, tech demos, collaborative art projects, Rhea Pizzeria Napoletana, a visit from the Boston Red Sox Wally the Green Monster and much more—with activities and prizes designed for all ages.

Everyone is welcome to attend, have fun, and help make history! Details: sawyerfreelibrary.org