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That Bearskin Neck was named by fishermen who saw the bearskin Ebenezer Babson had left to dry on the rocks?

Roger W. Babson in his Story of Bear Skin Neck puts it as follows: “…Ebenezer Babson, who then resided at the Farms, saw the bear attack the boy [his nephew, Henry Witham]. He immediately attacked the bear to get his attention away from the child, but having no gun he permitted the bear to follow him into the water. There, after a terrific struggle, Ebenezer killed the bear with a fish knife.”  (As depicted in the sign over the front door of The Pewter Shop.) 

The story is continued by George Jay Babson: “He then brought the bear onto the shore, skinned him, and spread the skin on the rocks to dry. Ebenezer died shortly afterwards, presumably at sea, but his nephew Henry Witham, whose life he saved, lived to a ripe old age. Naturally, he often told the story of his rescue, and when people asked how Ebenezer killed the bear, he would reply: ‘With his knife, I do declare.'” 

And hence the little ditty: “Babson, Babson, killed a bear, With his knife, I do declare.”

From John J. Babson, History of the Town of Gloucester Cape Ann Including the Town of Rockport (Massachusetts: Proctor Brothers, 1860) and The Witham Family History

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

http://www.goodmorninggloucester.com do you get it?

That Planters Neck is the peninsula portion of Annisquam, west of Lobster Cove, with convenient access to Mill River (which was impounded in the 17th century to provide the first water power for milling corn), the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay?  It was divided up into house lots by the early settlers, or planters.  Copeland and Rogers write that: “One of the generally accepted stories about the early settlement of the Cape is that in 1631 a band of Pilgrims came across Massachusetts Bay and settled at Planters Neck, where they set up a fishing stage.  The leader of that band is said to have been Abraham Robinson, and it also has been generally accepted that he was the son of Reverend John Robinson who had been pastor of the Pilgrims in Holland before they migrated to Plymouth. 

This is a photo of the plaque at Planters Neck from 1930, acknowledging its tercentennial.

(edited excerpt from A Guide to The Maximus Poems of Charles Olson by George F. Butterick)

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

 

Quotes from Buddha. Take them or leave them!

 

　

He who loves 50 people has 50 woes; he who loves no one has no woes.
Buddha

The mind is everything. What you think you become.
Buddha

The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.
Buddha

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
Buddha

There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.
Buddha

To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.
Buddha

We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them.
Buddha

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.
Buddha

What we think, we become.
Buddha

You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.
Buddha

Think about em’!

 

This weekend’s top pick is……………………

Bikini and Speedo Dodgeball Tournament 1PM at The Farm Bar and Grille

SATURDAY 1PM  BE THERE!!!!!!

Cape Ann Museum Free To Residents All January

North Shore Blogger Consortium Picks-

Media giant Seth gives up the best of Lynn at Lynn Happens.

The wonderful Jane Ward has some great ideas, over at Food and Fiction.

North Shore Kid: Weekend Picks

Choices from all over New England at The Two Palaverers.

I realize “old-timers” is a relative term. For the purposes of this post we’ll consider you an old-timer if you remember Rockport when you could pump gas in Dock Square and pick up some groceries at Ketchopulos Market.  Because the Rockport Festivals Committee is looking for people with memories of Motif No.1 Day, the way it used to be. The Rockport Festivals Committee wants to know just what it was like back in the day. They’re putting together an oral history of Motif No. 1 Day to preserve for the ages and include as a part of this year’s celebration of Motif No. 1 Day, scheduled for May 21st.

2010 saw a revival of this storied Rockport tradition, but as they plan for an even strong Motif No. 1 Day in 2011, the Rockport Festivals Committee doesn’t want to forget the good (or bad, depending on your perspective) old days.  If you’d like to throw in your two cents, or know someone who would, please e-mail rockportfestivals@gmail.com or call 978-546-2861 with your contact information.  The Festivals Committee would love to hear your recollections of Motif No. 1 Day through the years!

Here’s Ketchopulos Market from a 1925 painting (click for the source):

That the Common Eider is the largest duck in the Northern Hemisphere?  The male’s bright white, black, and green plumage contrasts markedly with the female’s camouflaging dull striped brown.

Mother Common Eiders lead their young to water, and often are accompanied by nonbreeding hens that participate in chick protection. Broods often come together to form “crèches” of a few to over 150 ducklings. Attacks by predators may cause several broods to cluster together into a crèche. Once formed, a crèche tends to stay together throughout the brood rearing period, although some of the different females attending it may leave.

This raft of male eiders all have their beaks tucked under their wings, as it was bitterly cold and windy.

From allaboutbirds.com

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Hi Joey.

Great Blog! Love how you highlight local activities, art, businesses and lore! I now subscribe so as not to miss.

I especially love the photos! Thank you for all that you do for the community!! 

Here are some photos I took that I thought you might enjoy:  ‘2011: From ‘balmy to blizzard’.   New Year’s Day felt surreal- so many people walking at good harbor, some barefoot, some in the water; very peaceful and happy scene.   The blizzard scene is in dogtown; nothing like a walk in the woods after a blizzard! (Just have to be careful of the rocks under the snow and falling ice and branches.  J )

Wishing you and your family good health and peace in 2011! May you enjoy much happiness and prosperity.     Karen