Good Morning Gloucester

Joey – there will be a memorial service for Mary Rhinelander McCarl at St John’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, September 18 at 11:00 AM and the family would be pleased to have people who have known Mary over many years in Gloucester attend the memorial service.  Mary was active in the arts community and well known as an historian of Gloucester and its people over the years.   Thanks for your consideration- Hank McCarl, Mary’s husband

Home made….

Despite appearances, there was more going on in the harbor recently than schooners! Hard at work: Capt. Joe, Claudia Marie, Griffin, Dog & I, SS Melon III, Jupiter and Lynn & William.

We had a stressful weekend following a Gannet that landed on the Audubon Sanctuary next to our house. Seabirds come ashore just to rookeries to nest, so it must have had a health issue. Professional help was delayed due to multiple emergencies, and it wasn’t confirmed until this morning that it died, apparently without a predator encounter.

Our beautiful Gloucester helped me cope with the tragedy of 9/11 when I needed a break  from the tv coverage. I went to Flat Rocks and wrote the song in this video 20 years ago. Good Harbor beach this week at sunrise with the surfers seemed like a perfect soothing scene to go with this recording. My hope is that this music video brings peace to all that are suffering today.

Deb Hardy from Creative Living Cape Ann

Photo Diane Britton

Oops….

On Tuesday Sept 14 at 11 AM, a memorial dedication ceremony will be held at Calvary Cemetery to honor the life and service of Gloucesterman John Handran. In his short lifetime, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in rescuing fellow Navy men after they were swept overboard in Portugal in 1876. He returned to Gloucester after his two terms of service and started a family. He was lost in the wreck of the Schooner Cleopatra in December 1885 leaving behind a wife and 3 very young children. He has never been recognized for his Medal of Honor and several years of work by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, a plaque has been placed at his widow’s gravesite in Calvary Cemetery. Tuesday’s ceremony is intended to dedicate that plaque and honor his life. All are invited to attend. Several descendants of John Handran plan to be in attendance.

Cape Ann Veterans Service has been instrumental in planning this ceremony. As a member of the Handran family, I am grateful to Adam Curcuru and Vee Chipperini for their assistance and support. We encourage you to join us and remember this Gloucesterman’s incredible story.