

My View of Life on the Dock



The concert page is at
Here is a video of The Black Feathers covering the Portishead song Glory
Box: https://youtu.be/KCMQKYSZwk4
~ Wellspring House ~
WELLSPRING HOUSE dedicated a vibrant, handcrafted bench on the grounds of its headquarters at 302 Essex Avenue in Gloucester, marking more than thirty years of partnership with BROOKWOOD SCHOOL in Manchester. The bench, a whimsical, colorful work of functional art designed by artist Claudia Paraschiv and built by The Cornerstone Creative, was inspired by student artwork created during the 2024 celebration of the partnership’s 30th anniversary. It was officially unveiled during Brookwood’s annual first-grade spring planting visit last Wednesday, when students and families gathered at Wellspring to tend gardens, connect with the community, and carry forward a tradition that has shaped young lives for a generation.
The bench is dedicated in honor of three Brookwood educators, whose vision and dedication built the partnership from the ground up: Sarah Dawe, Pam Hawes, and Jeff Wilfahrt. Over more than three decades, they wove Wellspring’s values into the fabric of first-grade learning, crafting year-long curricula, organizing meaningful visits, and nurturing in hundreds of young students the understanding that small acts of generosity can bring great joy.
Wellspring’s mission is to inspire families and adults on the North Shore to achieve employment and financial security through stable housing, education, job training, and career readiness. Across the region, too many parents and young adults are doing everything right and still struggling to get ahead – facing rising housing costs, grocery bills, childcare needs, and constant financial uncertainty. Wellspring meets that reality with coordinated, compassionate support. The new bench, installed overlooking the wildflower garden that Brookwood’s young gardeners have helped cultivate season after season, reflects that same spirit: a space that is genuinely welcoming and restorative for every person who visits – families seeking stability, students arriving to take High Schol Equivalency exams, and individuals working to build more secure futures.
“Wellspring House is deeply grateful for this enduring partnership with Brookwood School,” shared Melissa Dimond, Wellspring’s President and Executive Director. “For more than thirty years, Brookwood’s students have brought their creativity, generosity, and care to everything they do here – tending our gardens, contributing to our community, and helping make this a place where people feel truly welcome. This bench is a celebration of that spirit, and a reminder of what is possible when a community decides to show up for one another.”
The Wellspring House–Brookwood School partnership is one of the longest-running community service collaborations on the North Shore, and one of the most hands-on. For more than twenty years, Brookwood’s first-grade classes have visited Wellspring each spring and fall to plant bulbs and flowers, cultivating the wildflower beds that now frame the new bench. Beyond the gardens, students have decorated holiday stockings for children in Wellspring’s family shelter, assembled “leaving baskets” for individuals transitioning into stable housing, and donated toys, art supplies, and holiday meals, each act of generosity carefully shaped by teachers into something children could carry with them long after first grade ended.
“For more than thirty years, Wellspring House has helped our students understand that service is not something separate from learning — it is learning. Generations of Brookwood students have arrived at Wellspring to plant, create, give, and connect, but they have also left with something lasting themselves: empathy, perspective, and a deeper understanding of community. We are profoundly grateful for this enduring partnership and for all that Wellspring has given to our students and families over the years,” said Jon Bartlett, Head of Schools, Brookwood School.

The bench was designed by Claudia Paraschiv of Studioful Design in Salem, MA, a woman-owned social enterprise rooted in participatory design, the belief that the most meaningful spaces are shaped by the people who will inhabit them, making it a natural fit for a project born directly from the imaginations of Brookwood’s students. Through a hands-on workshop, students were invited to draw and share memories of Wellspring House and reflect on what gives them a feeling of home. “The result was the creation of four symbols: a house for Wellspring’s mission, a tulip for the bulbs the children planted, a butterfly for the pollinators, and a heart for love and community,” Claudia shared.
The bench was brought to life by The Cornerstone Creative, a Gloucester-based nonprofit that uses woodworking and craftsmanship as a vehicle for youth mentorship. That both collaborators work at the intersection of making and community is no coincidence: it reflects exactly the values that have defined the Wellspring–Brookwood partnership for thirty years.
Wellspring House fosters and enhances its grounds with a wild mix of trees and perennials, creating colorful, inviting spaces to rest, relax, and restore. The new bench is the newest expression of that commitment – a place to sit, to breathe, and to feel, however briefly, that the world is a generous place.
Visit wellspringhouse.org to learn more about the range of meaningful ways to engage directly with the North Shore community through Wellspring. From hands-on outdoor work to sharing professional expertise to supporting families during the holidays, each opportunity is well-organized, personally rewarding, and connected to the more than 2,000 individuals and families Wellspring serves each year throughout the North Shore and beyond.

Brookwood’s Lindsay Murphy, Sarah Dawe, Jane O’Connor, Jeff Wilfahrt and Pam Hawes with Wellspring’s Melissa Dimond

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I haven’t posted anything about our LobstaLand osprey pair Annie and Squam yet this season as I am a little bit behind on almost everything! We are pleased to see there are currently 3 eggs in the nest due to hatch at the end of the month. Watching the Essex Greenbelt osprey cam is a particularly fun way to spend time. I appreciate the efforts to keep us updated through blog posts by David Rimmer. Check it out at this link. Here are some screenshots showing Annie on the nest and also Squam sitting as relief. Squam apparently is doing some nest rearranging. I hope Annie approves!




Link on Amazon- https://amzn.to/4nB7cBZ
This video came to me at work because it send you little clips with timestamps when birds come to it!
Here are the features-


Simply Pretty…

The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA
May 22 – June 28, 2026
Opening Reception: Sunday, May 24, 2026, 4-6pm
Gallery Hours: Thursday – Sunday, Noon – 5pm
GLOUCESTER, MA — ROCKY NECK ART COLONY (RNAC) announces the opening of Rhythm and Rhyme, a juried exhibition showcasing work inspired by music or musical lyrics. The structural pattern of music, including melody, harmony, tempo, and texture, has long been a muse for the visual arts. A song’s lyric quality may also evoke powerful imagery and stir the imagination. The works in this exhibit represent the full range of musical inspiration, from highly literal responses to deeply emotional.
Please join us at the Opening Reception of Rhythm and Rhyme on Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 4-6pm. Experience the collection, meet the artists, and enjoy an afternoon of refreshments and lively conversation.
The Artists
Willie Alexander, Stephen Bates, Marcy Bergeron, David Curcio, Leslie Davison, Dennis Flavin, Gordon Goetemann, Paul Cary Goldberg, Seth Goldfine, Don Gorvett, Don Gropman, Elliott Kaufman, Alison Landoni, Helene Levin, Eileen Mueller, Joan Mullen, R. Ellis Orrall, Iku Oseki, Howard Pohl, Marion Powers, Jon Sarkin, Suzanne Ulrich, Juni Van Dyke and James Wickey.
Save the date: The Journey of a Song, music and musings with Dan King and Dave Mattacks, Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Details to follow.
###
The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, nurtures excellence in the arts through exhibitions, workshops, residencies and vibrant cultural events for its members and the public. On picturesque Rocky Neck in Gloucester, Massachusetts, RNAC operates three exhibition spaces, open to the public for free, The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck (6 Wonson Street); The Salted Cod Arthouse (53 Rocky Neck Ave.), a partnership gallery and café; and Cove Gallery (37 Rocky Neck Ave.), open seasonally in the former gallery of local artists Gordon and Judith Goetemann. Check the website, www.rockyneckartcolony.org, for hours, openings and special events. For more information, see the website or call 978-515-7004.

Meet Jenny! This lovely lady is a local girl, having been surrendered to us early April – though no fault of her own, simply due to her previous family moving and unable to take her with them. Since being under our care, we noticed she has a head tilt, with close monitoring and x-rays we were unable to find out what had caused it. But it doesn’t seem to be affecting her at all – She remains her sweet and gentle self. Jenny is considered special needs because she is FIV+ meaning her immune system is weakened. But with regular vet visits and an indoor lifestyle she has many more years to curl up by your side. She doesn’t seem to mind much, not caring for dogs barking or other cats, she would do well in any home. Adopt today!
Jenny’s fee has been waived in hopes to help her find her forever home!
Apply for Jenny at: capeannanimalaid.org/catapp
| Breed | Siamese/Mix |
| Age | 6 years 1 month 20 days |
| Gender | Female |
| Size | Medium |
| Color | Beige/Seal |
| Spayed/Neutered | |
| Declawed | No |
| Housetrained | Yes |
______________________________________
Cape Ann Animal Aid
Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter
4 Paws Lane
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 283-6055



Share Your Story & Get a $50 Gift Card
Women Connected to the Commercial Fishing Industry
Are you a woman connected to the commercial fishing industry? I’m starting an interview project focused on understanding the vital role women play in commercial fishing.
Who can participate?
You may be eligible if you:
• Women 18 years or older
• Work directly in the commercial fishing industry (on F/V, processing, sales,
administration, etc.)
• OR are connected through a family member (for example, a spouse or parent who
works in commercial fishing)
What does participation involve?
• A one-on-one interview (60 minutes)
• Conducted in person at a time and place that works for you
• Questions about your experiences and perspectives related to the fishing industry
Compensation
Participants will receive a $50 grocery store gift card as a thank-you for their time.
Why participate?
Help bring visibility to the vital role women play in fishing communities. Your story will
contribute to a deeper public understanding of where food comes from—and the people who make it possible.
Confidentiality
All information you provide will be kept confidential. Your name and identifying details will not be shared in any publications or reports.
Interested?
Click this link!

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*Excludes gluten free
*Excludes online orders
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Here’s this week’s music line-up at The Rhumb Line. As always, live music seven days per week!

The fun continues today at Masshole Biscuit Company on Main Street:


Thanks Donna Rogers for the Mug and Chris Thompson For The Sardines To review!













These beautiful, amazing birds have returned. Not easy to get a photo since they are so fast. Watching them is so relaxing. Please remember to only use 4 cups of water and one cup of what sugar and bring to boil. No artificial food.
