Gloucester Smiles-1401
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Yesterday in Rockport
No doubt you heard yesterday that there was an incident at Rockport Middle School. As a mother of a seventh grade Rockport student I can tell you that it was a long and emotional day. It was a day of fear…then gratitude…then more fear….some disbelief, some confusion, some relief, some heartache, some disappointment…and lots of love and appreciation. It was a night spent reassuring, addressing, soothing, explaining, and…mostly, listening. As I type this (11:30 last night to post tomorrow…which for you is now today) my twelve year old is asleep in my bed next to me for the first time in, like, forever.
I will tell you quickly how the day unfolded in my little corner of the world and then, if you don’t mind, share with you just why I felt some of the things I did.
Driving through “Five Corners” in Rockport right around 7:30 a.m. on my way out of town for work, I saw three police cars rushing into Rockport. One was an unmarked car. It was that unmarked black car that made me nervous…that rattled me. It was that car that set off alarms and made me stop to text my son. “Are you ok?” Please, please, please. “Yes.” Relief. Exhale. But, then his text continued… “We’re on lock-down. Someone was stabbed. By another student. I think he ran.” What? “In the high school?” I asked. “No, Mom. 7th. In my grade.” I asked again, “Are you ok?” …..and got no response.
It would be quite a while before I heard from my son again. In the meantime, I had many thoughts. He was ok. But, someone else was not. Is that really what happened? Is that just what he thought was happening? Was there something else going on? Are the teachers and staff ok? Should I text him again? Should I call him? Is his phone on silent? Is he hiding? Do I really want his phone to make a noise when my message comes through? Does he need me? Is he still ok? If his text was accurate, oh my word….that poor family.
I called my husband and filled him in on the little I knew. I saw several police cars. I texted our son. This is what he said. Now he’s not answering. Don’t text him or call him. I don’t want his phone making any noise. Please let me know if you hear more.
I continued on to work.
30 minutes after our initial conversation, thank goodness, another text. “I’m safe, but I can’t text you any more.”
I make a phone call to my husband.
Because I’m at work….I quickly get wrapped up in work. I want to know more, but there are some immediate things to be taken care of in my office.
At 8:30, an hour after seeing those police cars and first communicating with my son, comes a text from my mother. “What is happening in Rockport? I just saw the news.” I filled her in on what little I knew. I hadn’t thought to call her. I didn’t know it had already made it to the news.
Here is the love and appreciation part….. for the rest of the day, as news spreads, my phone buzzes with friends reaching out to make sure our son is ok, to send their love, and to acknowledge how scary it must be. I am so fortunate to have so many amazing people in our lives. Their concern for our boy and his classmates brought tears to my eyes. The love and kindness they expressed for him…and the community of Rockport…and us…meant the world.
Here, in contrast, is the disappointment part. I decide to take a moment to see if more information has been shared. It was clear it had been on news channels, but I can’t find it online. I turn to Facebook and look at the Rockport Middle School page…where I’m sure there couldn’t possibly be an update, but was the first place I thought to check. I then check out the Rockport Police page….also fully assuming that no one would have been able to share an update. Obviously…and understandably…there is no news. What I do find, however, on other forums, is a circus of blame and finger pointing and judging. I find people who are convinced that they know exactly why something like this could happen. Convinced that it was because of this….or because of that. People who were so quick to assume…while an emergency was still unfolding…so quick to put out to the world what they would have done differently. A frenzy of information shared….some it turns out correct, some it turns out, not.
As I’m reading, a phone call comes in from the school….and then thereafter, an email with the exact same message. A serious physical assault, one student has been transported to the hospital, one student is in custody, police have determined it is safe to continue with school, as parents you obviously have the right to dismiss your child as you see fit.
More appreciation…. I also find, thank goodness…goodness. Many parents supporting each other. Other community members expressing concern, thoughts, and prayers for all involved. Many thanking the school and the first responders. Some people offering to pick up other’s children. Support, thoughts and prayers, importantly I think, to both families.
I work, the day continues to unfold, our son asks to be picked up, my husband gets him, he’s home safely. We talk briefly…. helicopters, police, I saw her down on the floor, I saw her mother arrive at the school, “yes” I know the boy.
Here’s the thing. We live in a very small community. Even beyond our town lines to Gloucester is truly not that big. It’s most often beautiful. Idyllic, many would say. A place where people care for each other, rally for each other, and gather to get through hard times. Often. Yes, my son has a very small number of children in his seventh grade class at Rockport Middle School so, of course, he knows the children involved. But, it doesn’t end there. He knows, and truly adores, the extended family of the child who did this as well. We all do. So, obviously, I immediately reach out. “Thinking of you. This can not be easy. I’m so sorry.” In fact, this person is, not at all surprisingly because she is so great, one of the first people who reached out to me upon hearing the news of something happening in Rockport. Not knowing at the time, how this would come to unfold…and the news she would soon get.
At home we finally have time to really talk. My son expressed lots of sadness, fear, and emotion. He was very concerned for his hospitalized classmate…and her closest of friends, confused by the actions of another classmate…yet, aware that there were probably issues and circumstances that he does not know or can not understand, sad for both families, worried about his friends from outside of his school who are now suddenly dealing with a different type of sadness and concern and shock, and of course (and heartbreakingly)…maybe for the first time ever…really scared for himself.
We are very thankful to the Rockport school system and for those in Gloucester who jumped in to assist. We are very thankful to all of the first responders. There are so many people to think of and keep in our thoughts or prayers right now. I hope that others can just wish for the best for all involved and not point fingers. Not interject how they could have prevented this situation…not make assumptions. Instead use that energy to send healing thoughts to the young girl, her hurting family, and her very scared friends. Continue to think of them through what will no doubt be an incredibly difficult time ahead…even after the physical healing begins to take place. Also try, as part of this close community, to try to understand the pain and sadness that is no doubt being felt by the other family involved. Consider, for a moment, what that might also feel like. Be kind.
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Gloucester Biotechnology Academy’s first Open House of 2020!
Please join us at our state-of-the-art teaching facility in Blackburn Center on Thursday, January 23rd for Gloucester Biotechnology Academy’s first Open House of the year.
Come learn more about this innovative program and how it can lead to an exciting career in biotech!
Applications for the 2021 class will be available, and students, alumni and teachers will be on site to chat with and answer your questions.
Please reach out to Lead Teacher Elizabeth Wing at elizabeth.wing@gmgi.org for more information.
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Reiki Training Level 1
REIKI TRAININGS with Marleen Wood
January 11 & 12 (Saturday & Sunday)
Ayurveda Wellness Healing, 25C Lexington Ave, 2nd Floor, Magnolia, MA
REIKI TRAINING LEVEL 1
Reiki Master Marleen Woodwill offer a class in Level 1 of Usui Reiki training.
Reiki is a Japanese hands-on healing technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. Reiki means Universal Life Energy, the energy that sustains all life. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – Rei which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which is “life force energy”. So Reiki is actually “spiritually guided life force energy.”
Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects…
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GloucesterCast 373 With Chris McCarthy, Pat & Jimmy Dalpiaz, Kim Smith and Joey Ciaramitaro Taped Live At 1623 Studios 1/7/20
GloucesterCast 373 With Chris McCarthy, Pat & Jimmy Dalpiaz, Kim Smith and Joey Ciaramitaro Taped Live At 1623 Studios 1/7/20
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Topics Include:
Podcast Schedule
Polar Plunge Recap (It was cold)
Patriots are mercifully done
Carnival Cruise Pool Looked Like A Big Floating Virus
Kudos To Vision Depot On Railroad Ave
Renting an RV For Nephew BJ’s Graduation In Syracuse
Driving to festivals in an RV has been a bucket list thing for Joey.
Proud of my daughter Eloise working at The Village
Topside Grill Has Trivia on Wednesday Nights
Beauport-On January 10th at 7pm in our lobby, we are hosting a @veuveclicquot Pop-Up @Beauport_Hotel
Freeport Downeaster sounds like a fun day and there are $15 Fares January with 3 day advance purchase
Dinosaur on the highway
Seafood Rankings
Jury Duty Dismissed vs Cancelled- How Jury’s get Summonsed
Sexy Peloton Instructors
Christmas Tree Pickup
Cape Ann Wildlife Update
Boy Scout Troop 20 Christmas tree pickup Saturday Jan 11 from 8 Am – 2 PM for $5 donation. Tree must be placed outside cleared or ornaments etc. Call 978-309-9501 with your name, phone number and address. Email troop20treepickup@gmail.com
Duckworth Bistro Kitchen Renovation and Dining Room Remodel Taking Place
Chamber Ribbon Cutting Event At 1623 Studios January 16th After Hours Event After
Article from WHDH- “How Does Massachusetts Decide Who Gets Summoned For Jury Duty?”
How Does Massachusetts Decide Who Gets Summoned For Jury Duty ?
Maybe this scenario sounds familiar to you. You’ve been summoned for jury duty — like two or three times in the past few years. But your, say, spouse, sibling, coworker? Not a single summons. This happened to Pepperell resident Carrie Powanda-Croft, who reached out to the Curiosity Desk to ask why.
I’m curious about the process for being selected for jury duty. How does that work in Massachusetts? Why is it that some people seem to get called more often than others?
For answers, I went straight to the source: Pamela J. Wood, Jury Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Wood and her 30-person team are responsible for keeping the state’s court system well-stocked with qualified, potential jurors. So, how do they pick ‘em?
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BEAUTIFUL CAPE ANN WINTER WILDLIFE UPDATE
Our shores abound with wonderful wild creatures we more often see in wintertime, and species we can view better because the trees are bare. The duo of male American Wigeons are still here, as are the pair of Pipits. I watched yesterday afternoon as the Pipits flew away from the beach in unison, and then returned together about twenty minutes later to continue to forage in the seaweed and sand.
It’s easier to catch a glimpse of a Downy Woodpecker pecking and a wasp nest in the tangle of thickets when viewed through naked limbs and branches.
The Harbor Seals are seen almost daily. One day last week 24 were present!
A sleepy-eyed female Common Eider was peacefully resting on the beach. I know she was okay because on our way back she slipped back into the surf.
Song Sparrow
Red-breasted Merganser
And that’s our Charlotte, my favorite wild one, and ever at the ready to go exploring. After we get dressed in the morning she chortles, “Now I’m ready for action Mimi.”
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Vintage Teak Bar Find
It’s in great shape. A couple of spots the teak could be refinished a bit but it’s got tons of character. Extends and opens to about 7 feet wide. Gonna be lots of fun this summer.
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Topside Grill Trivia Is Back!
Happy New Year from the Topside Grill!! Beginning tonight and going every Wednesday Trivia is back!! Starts at 7:00, and goes to 8:30. Grab some friends or play solo. Teams of up to 8 people allowed. Come join the fun!
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Pretty Sunday morning
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What to do with all your boxes, another reason why I like to shop locally.
We always shop locally most of the time but with our company Circle Consulting Group sometimes we have to order from Amazon for computer parts such as hard drives, certain cables, etc. so we have many Amazon Boxes. Here is something you can do to dispose of them properly.
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Music Around Town ~ January 6-12, 2020
click photo for music info
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Wildlife Sighting You Won’t Believe
HaHa! Not sure why this story from the BBC resonates…..I’m imagining triceratops trying to navigate the rotary…….
Chris Hollingshead Photo
Here’s the link for the full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-35579159 Thanks to my friend Kristin for sharing this!! Great photo Chris Hollingshead..I’d love to capture this kind of wildlife sighting.
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Gloucester Smiles-1400
Gentleman from Wisconsin
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More of This…
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Rockport Middle School Serious Physical Assault
Good Morning this is Robert Liebow Superintendent of Schools. I am calling today to inform you that there was a serious physical assault in the middle school hallway this morning before school started which involved two middle school students. One student has been transfered to the hospital and the other student is in police custody at this time. Rockport police are here at the school and have determined that it is safe to continue with school today. They will be here throughout the day today. Of course as parents you have the right to dismiss your students as you see fit. I will contact you again later today as more details become available.
This e-mail has been sent to you by ROCKPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you no longer wish to receive email notifications from ROCKPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT, please click here to unsubscribe.
To view the ROCKPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT privacy policy, please click here.
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Stealing a Quiet Moment
I couldn’t help but take a quick photo of this couple stealing a quiet moment on the beautiful deck of the Beauport Hotel early last night. All bundled up (and unrecognizable) in front of both the fire and a gorgeous sunset.
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Has Anyone Taken The Amtrak Downeaster from Boston/Woburn To Freeport Maine?
Right now they have $15 One Way Fares with 3 day advance purchase any points between Boston and Freeport. Sounds like a fun day!
From the site:
Take the train in January and pay just $15 one-way for travel from Brunswick to Boston or points in-between. This promotion is valid on ALL Downeaster trains. To use this discount, tickets must be purchased at least three days in advance of travel. Click “Buy Tickets”, select “Adult”, and enter promo code v623.
This discount is not valid for travel in business class.
https://amtrakdowneaster.com/deal/15-fares-january-0
Here’s a sample schedule for this Wednesday-
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Barns Along the Byway
OK, so maybe a better title would be “Hearse House Along the Highway”, but I didn’t think that had quite the same ring to it……. It’s still quite pretty in its own way.
Good Morning Gloucester 