Category: Uncategorized

The Pewter Shop

Posted on by Matthew Green

As I mentioned in another post, I went down to Bearskin Neck one evening last week in search of Christmas decorations to photograph. A variety of the shops have nice window displays, but one of the few places that is really lit up is the Pewter Shop. You can’t miss it!

Recently, we (Holy Family Parish) bought a set of pewter cups and bowls from this shop for use at Mass, and at the time I was impressed by both their beautiful variety of pewter wares and the friendliness of the proprietors.  I decided to go back to photograph some of the beautiful things they sell. It would be a good place to go for some elegant Christmas or Chanukah gifts.

Zan welcomed me to the store
Walking in and seeing everything shine makes quite a first impression.
ornaments
Among the treasures they offer is a large variety of Christmas tree decorations.


Being a deyed-in-the-wool fantasy fan, I count these dragons among my favorite items in the store. I'll buy one someday...
Irish Pewter

They aren’t kidding about this being “Irish Pewter”. I saw these same items being sold in gift shops in Ireland earlier this year. Surprisingly, the price at this shop in Rockport is as good or better than what I saw in Ireland…

Don’t forget to go through to the back side of the store (as I did the first time I was there)…

Don't miss it!

Peter Thomsen Back Shore Poem

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Peter writes-

The Backshore is huge part of my life. I’ve grown up on the rocks and my personal ideology is formed from it. Here I tired to put words to my connection with it. Hope you like it!

Come Find Me There Sometime and We’ll Share Freedom

By Brunner T

I’ve seen beaches collect atop the rocks,

I’ve seen them be ripped away.

I’ve seen placid, clear water;

Green glass resting on the seaweed.

I’ve seen the essence of rage:

Walls of blue-gray fury

Dashing

Themselves to foamy fragments

On intransient boulders.

I’ve seen every tide, mood, and time

Of the Backshore.

My shins are bruised,

My skin has torn,

I’ve felt weathered rock

Bite my lip.

The line of horizon

Belittles me,

Life feels a lifetime too short.

The road above is busy

But I assure you the air is clean.

My dog files his nails here,

But I simply breath.

Cape Ann Museum Pocket Park New Sculpture Photo From Bob Hastings

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Bob Writes-

Joey,
I went for a walk tonight and found the fabulous John Ramondi sculpture has been installed at the new Cape Ann Museum park on Pleasant.  What a fantastic addition to the civic campus.

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Discounted Shopping, Holiday Treats & Hot Chocolate This Friday in Rockport!

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

Big stuff in Rockport tomorrow night, December 9th, from 4 to 8pm! Over 30 (thirty!) stores throughout downtown Rockport will be offering discounts and promotions for holiday shoppers. The Old Firehouse Trust in Dock Square will be open serving hot chocolate, coffee and homemade holiday treats. And so that you can do two good deeds at once by shopping local and donating to the food pantry, donations of canned goods can be dropped off at The Old Firehouse Trust building as well.  All donations of food benefit The Open Door, Cape Ann’s food pantry. Come enjoy the festivities and a fun night in downtown Rockport during this holiday season! Feel free to print out this handy shopping map to bring along with you so that you know what’s available tomorrow night – and don’t forget to stop in at The Old Firehouse to make your donation and enjoy something warm to drink!

Just download and print for your Rockport Shopping Guide!
Food Drive for The Open Door!

 

Did You Know? (Holiday Mug Up)

Posted on by God's Morning

That there is a Holiday Mug Up this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in Annisquam.   Deviled eggs, fresh baked cinnamon rolls and orange sweet buns (Paul, your favorite Pillsbury doughboy), coffee, tea and whatever else people might bring along to share.  Location: EJ’s at 6 Union Court (Annisquam).  Please park on Leonard Street and walk up the Court (first house on the left).  If you need directions, email me at khanstudio@comcast.net or call 857-891-9054.  Hope to see you, and if you like, bring your cameras for a photographic walkabout after.

E.J. Lefavour

 

A project to benefit The Open Door Food Pantry

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

I wanted to personally share with you my business, ENNIS Inc’s holiday video. I created this as a way to benefit the Open Door food pantry in Gloucester. As a resident of Gloucester and a business owner, I wanted to use this year’s holiday greeting to bring awareness to the wonderful work the Open Door does for the community.


ENNIS represents Food Stylists, Wardrobe Stylists, Prop Stylists, Makeup and Hair Artists from Boston, NY, and LA.  We pulled together a group from Boston and NY to gather at my home in Gloucester and prepare meat and fruit pies, which we then delivered and served at the Open Door food pantry that same evening.

Tripp Clemens from Windpowered Productions shot the whole process for us. It was a fun and rewarding experience. We hope to do more in the future and motivate others to use their resources to do the same.

Community Stuff

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Scola Cantorum & the Middle Street Walk

Please join
the Scola Cantorum from the Annisquam Village Church performing with the choirs of St. John’s, St. Mary’s & the First Congregational, Rockport at St. John’s Episcopal Church,
48 Middle St., Gloucester, Mass. 01930
December 10th 2011, 1:00 pm

Annisquam Village Church Christmas Pageant

Dec 18, 2011 at 4:00pm
Annisquam Village Church
820 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA

Old Sloop Coffeehouse

Hi Joey,
I enjoy reading your blog.  Thank you for this service to the community!
I help to run Old Sloop Coffeehouse at the First Congregational Church of Rockport.  We have two concerts this Saturday, December 10, that I thought might warrant a mention.
At 10:30 AM, there will be a children’s concert featuring Debbie and Friends.  Debbie and Friends contributed a song to an anti-bullying CD that was just nominated for a Grammy.  "Debbie" is former West Parish Elementary School teacher Debbie Cavalier, now Dean of Continuing Education at Berklee College of Music.  Also in the band is Gloucester resident Rory McKenzie on bass.
At 7:30 PM, there will be a second concert featuring Carolann Solebello, best know as a founding member of female trio Red Molly, who are local favorites.  Carolann will appear on Live at Noon on WUMB radio with Dave Palmater Friday, December 9.
Thank you!
Geof Lyon, for Old Sloop Coffeehouse
http://oldsloopcoffeehouse.org

Safe Steps for Seniors – new community exercise program at Addison Gilbert Hospital

The Center for Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at Addison Gilbert Hospital, 298 Washington Street, Gloucester is providing a new community exercise program for those aged over 60 with fear of falling and balance difficulty. 

The benefits of this new dynamic group exercise program will aid in fall risk reduction, increased balance, confidence in mobility and ability to be independently active participants in the local community.

All participants will be required to undergo a free 30-minute individual pre- and post-screening for balance and fall risk.

The fee is $3. per class which is due at the beginning of the class which are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12 Noon.  Space is limited.   Space availability is determined on a first-come, first-served basis.  

For further information or to schedule a screening required to participate in the class, please call 978-283-4001,     ext. 141.

Cape Ann YMCA’s Teen Night!

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Join us this Friday, December 9, at the Cape Ann YMCA for another fun filled teen night! The YMCA will be open to all Gloucester teens ONLY from 9:00-11:00pm. Come in and work out, shoot some hoops, go for a swim or have fun in the gymnastics center. Teen night is FREE for YMCA members and $5.00 for visitors.

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Ho, ho, ho! The Cape Ann TV Santa Party will be held at our studio on Tuesday, December 13 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Bring the family and let Santa know what you would like for Christmas!

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Hello Joey,

Gene Seidman here – I wanted to tell you about an event we are having at Passport Restaurant on Monday December 12 from 7 pm.

Renown photographer Stephan Gersh is showing some new photographs and a few old favorites.  I’m performing a special edition of my one man show – PROVOCATION and Eric of Passports is making a very special global collection of treats for guest

Tickets are $40 available at www.provocation.me or call 978-281-3680

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Save The Date For The GMG Christmas Party December 17th & GMG Holiday Gifts

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

First Ever OFFICIAL GMG CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!!!!

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I’m springing for the Sebastians Pizza, bring a jug of booze or some beer, we will have cups and ice and we’re gonna have a good time.

It’s been an incredible year of highs for the team, between our killer Fiesta coverage, taking home CBS  Boston’s Best Blog award, the success at the GMG Gallery Khan Studio at Rocky Neck, just killing all the local coverage between the fishing, downtown, business and arts community, helping some locals earn special recognition and oh so much more, it is now time to come together and celebrate all the goodness that we’ve collectively been able to do- TOGETHER!

I’ll have “This is Gloucester DVD’s there if you want to buy one (or ten), EJ and Sharon will have their calendars there as well.

I’ll also brig a large stack of the new black Stickas to pass out.

Order Joey’s This Is Gloucester DVD By Clicking Here

Order Sharon’s Cape Ann Wall Calendar Here

Order EJ’s Babson Boulders Calendars Here and Gloucester Fisherman Calendar Here

Order Vickie Van Ness’s Celebrate Gloucester Music DVD Here

Linda Klein Has Some Nice Things To Say

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
From Minnesota to Gloucester

Joey
Hello from Stillwater, Minnesota.  My daughter attended Emerson College in Boston, and when I visited her and rented a home on Salt Island Road in Gloucester, I fell in love with your city.  She graduated in 2009, but ever since that first trip in 2005, I have rented the house for one week every year.  December 11 to 19 is my week for this year, and I am very excited. 
I follow GMG every day and vicariously pretend that I am truly a "resident" and know all the people in the stories and photos.  I am a writer (mostly about cancer care) and would like to visit the Writer’s Center when I am there.  After years of writing non-fiction, I am finally at work on a novel …. and its setting is …. Gloucester. 
I was especially touched by your story commemorating the 10 year anniversary of the loss of the Starbound.  When I saw the photo of the freighter that hit them, my heart sank.  I have watched these ships come into the harbor in Duluth, MN, from across the Great Lakes and cannot imagine seeing one of them coming toward me.  My grandfather was a fisherman in Sweden and Finland before emigrating to America.  I am drawn to these stories. 
I was also touched when you paid homage to the folks at the facility where your Dad is living.  I lost my mom to Alzheimers after she lived for 9 years in just such a place.  I know how difficult it is.
Thanks for indulging my babbling, and I hope to meet you when I am there.  Would it be terribly brash to stop in and spend some time at your Christmas party on Saturday night?  For one night, I could pretend to be "one of you." 
Warm regards,
Linda Klein, Town Clerk
May Township

Joey writes:

Linda of course you are invited to come hang with us.  Any FOB is and from what you’ve written you sure as hell qualify as a FOB!

Harmeling Physical Therapy Tip of the Month

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Tip of the Month: December

Although this has been a “balmy” November, we all know that the snow and ice is just around the corner.
According to statistics, 80% percent of slips and falls are due to snow and ice with more than 50 percent occurring between 6 a.m. and noon.  (https://www.wcfgroup.com/sites/default/files/slips.pdf)

With this in mind, here are a few exercises to improve your balance before those cold winter mornings come along:

EXERCISES SHOULD BE DONE IN A CORNER OR DOORWAY TO ENSURE SAFETY

1.    Stand with one foot in front of the other (heel to toe), hold this position for as long as you can without looking at your feet.  Repeat x10

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2.    Slowly march in place bringing your knees as high as they can go. Key is SLOW march. Repeat x30 lifts on each leg

3.    Stand on one leg. Hold as long as you can. Repeat x10.

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4.    Fold a bath towel into a large square.  Stand with feet touching and shift weight onto your toes, back to your heels and side to side SLOWLY. Practice this for 3-4 minutes

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5.    Walk heel to toe down a hallway, using the walls for support if needed

Have a safe and slip-free winter! 

To find out more about Harmeling Physical Therapy please visit www.harmelingpt.com .  Our Gloucester clinic is located at:
Blackburn Industrial Park
8 Blackburn Center
(978) 283-0888

Sheela Zerilli, DPT