
Niles Pond Solo

My View of Life on the Dock

Another beauty of a late afternoon walk. After sitting too long working I decided to go to Coolidge Reservation. What a treat it is up there and then took a walk toward Magnolia Beach. The waves were loud and soothing and the sun again amazing. So grateful.


New Sunday Hours!
The bar will not close and small bar menu will be available 2:00-4:00


Dinner Specials Each Week!
Wednesday, January 16 – 7pm
My Musical Guest: ELLEN FORD!

courtesy photo
One of my favorite things about watching Ellen Ford perform
is the way adoring listeners seem to wrap her in a warm, fuzzy
blanket with their cheers and applause. It just so obviously
makes her feel loved, which she most certainly is… by us all.
Last time in, Ellen turned the entire evening into an utter joyfest.
Accompanied once again by the great Chick Marston, she’ll be
doing it all over again come Wednesday. Don’t miss this! ~ Fly
Dinner with great music!
*Each week features a special, invited musical guest
The Rhumb Line Kitchen……features Morgan Forsythe! Dishes are better than ever before!
Plus a fine, affordable wine menu!
Next week…
1/23 – Allen Estes
1/30 – Lynne Taylor
Visit: http://www.therhumbline.com/
Looking forward……to seeing you there 🙂
Eric Schwartz –
January 15, 2019


Re: Implications of government shutdown on members/families of the U.S. Coast Guard
Dear Citizens of Cape Ann,
As you know, the now 24-day government shutdown is taking its toll on U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) members and their families. The Coast Guard, operating under the Department of Homeland Security, is the only branch of the military not being paid for their ongoing operations.
This morning, I met with Adam Curcuru, Director of Veterans’ Services; Chad Johnson, Assistant Harbormaster; Brian O’Connor, Commander, VFW Post 1624; Mark Nestor, Commander, American Legion Post 3; Julie LaFontaine, Executive Director, The Open Door, USGC Commander Sector Gloucester Kevin Morgan; State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante; State Senator Bruce Tarr; and a representative from Congressman Seth Moulton’s Office to discuss the issue and how we as a community can best help our local USCG members and their families.
Together we have identified several donation options for those wishing to help. Please be sure to reference USCG when donating. That reference is needed to ensure donations be allocated to USCG members and their families.
Food Donations: At this time, we kindly ask that you do not bring any food donations to the Gloucester Coast Guard Station. All food donations should be directed to Open Door, located at 28 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA.
Gift Card Donations: Gift cards to specific stores such as grocery stores, gas stations, general merchandise (Target or Walmart) and monetary gift cards (Visa, American Express or Mastercard) in any denomination are needed. These can be dropped off in Gloucester or sent to American Legion Post 3, P.O. Box 122. Gloucester, MA 01931-0122, VFW Post 1624 or The Open Door, 28 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930..
Monetary Donations: Monetary donations (check or cash) will be collected at the VFW, American Legion Post 3, P.O. Box 122, Gloucester, MA 01931-0122, Cape Ann Veterans’ Services, The Open Door, 28 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930 or at the Gloucester Fund (45 Middle Street, Gloucester MA). As a reminder, any monetary donations must include a reference USCG.
Clothing Donations: Clothes donations are not requested at this time. Once needs are determined we will provide additional guidance. Please use the other sources of giving recommended.
Thank you for all the outreach regarding this situation. The community’s desire to help is overwhelming. Together let’s help our local USCG community families during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Sefatia Romeo Theken
Mayor
Headlands, featuring John Rockwell, Amy Rich and Eric Wilson, all of Rockport, return to Feather & Wedge this Thursday for an evening of entertainment and great food. Their set list includes selections from Roots and Americana to a little bit of Country. Reservations highly suggested! 978.999.5917
Thursday, January 17, 2019
7:30 PM 10:00 PM












On January 13th Gillette asked, “Is this the best a man can get?” as a spin on their long standing slogan “The best a man can get.”
Lots of talk last night and this morning about this Gillette Ad. As is typical……it seems people are divided. Some are applauding and some are boycotting. Some are feeling vindicated some are feeling insulted. Your thoughts?
Bullying. Harassment. Is this the best a man can get? It’s only by challenging ourselves to do more, that we can get closer to our best. To say the right thing, to act the right way. We are taking action at http://www.thebestmencanbe.org. Join us.
It’s very pretty at Plum Cove Beach even on a blustery January day. I see it has been designated for the perpetual use of the people of Gloucester….how fortunate!





GloucesterCast 316 With Nate Cahill, Jimmy and Pat Dalpiaz, Chris McCarthy, Kim Smith and Joey Ciaramitaro Taped 1/15/19
When you subscribe you need to verify your email address so they know we’re not sending you spam and that you want to receive the podcast or GMG in your email. So once you subscribe check your email for that verification. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder in your email acct so you can verify that you’d like to get them via email subscription.
Topics Include:


They really look after you
Dear Readers,
Over the weekend the Rockport Fire Department was called by a well-meaning person because they thought Mr. Swan was stuck in the ice. Believe me when I write that Mr. Swan has spent the last 29 years of his life (at least 29 years) on Cape Ann’s wintry waterways. If Mr. Swan finds himself partially frozen in the ice he uses his mighty breast to break up the ice by lifting his body out of the water and then coming down hard, pounding the ice with his chest. We have seen him do this powerful move dozens of times.
Notice Mr. Swan’s large and well-defined breast bones, which are ideal for breaking up ice.
There was a concern last year about him being unable to get off ice he had unwittingly flown onto, only because he had an injured foot. With his gimpy foot, he could not get a running start to take off flying. Mr. Swan’s foot has healed and he is doing beautifully.
It is of grave concern when the local authorities are called regarding Mr. Swan. We are afraid that the case will be referred to Mass Wildlife. Mute Swans are considered an invasive species and it is not part of their protocol to save non-native species of wildlife. As he is a “community” pet, some leeway may be permitted, but that is not guaranteed.
Please contact me at kimsmithdesigns@hotmail.com. When you contact me about any issues regarding Mr. Swan, I in turn contact and discuss with his longtime caretakers and friends Lois and Serena, Lyn, Skip, Joel and Skip, Elaine, and Jodi and Erin at Cape Ann Wildlife. It was a terrible ordeal last time there was an attempt to capture Mr. Swan. We don’t want him to go through that kind of trauma ever again, especially at his age.
During the winter months, Mr. Swan’s territory expands tremendously and it includes the length of the Annisquam River and all inlets, all along the backshore from Rockport Harbor to Gloucester Harbor, and all the fresh bodies of water in between. Please let people know and share this post with everyone you know who may have contact with Mr. Swan.

Thanks to Mayor Romeo-Theken, city officials & departments and staff, residents, volunteers, archives and generous grant awards & donations, — Gloucester’s extant historic mural collection has begun a new chapter and is beginning to receive most fitting care at the illustrious Williamstown Art Conservation Center.
Located on the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute campus, The Williamstown Art Conservation Center (WACC) is a non-profit institution that was established as the regional conservation center for New England by the US government back in 1977.

The summer 2017 issue of Art Conservator, WACC’s indispensable industry magazine, focused on the center’s 40th anniversary milestone and Director Tom Branchick. The back page prints the 2017 Center consortium members.

You can peruse the issue here or follow the link to explore a complete digitized repository of current and past issues. The WACC website URL is: www.williamstownart.org



Conservators at the center assessed the condition and performed necessary triage because of the invaluable support from the city’s Community Preservation Act (CPA). CPA funding and Williamstown Art Conservation Center’s stature are inspiring endorsements for broadcasting the project and compelling additional financial support. As money is raised, every mural will have its necessary care regimen completed. Donations in support of the mural care can be sent c/o the Auditor’s Office, City of Gloucester, 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA (note mural restoration). All murals will be displayed in Gloucester as soon as their care is completed.
Sneak peek then and now:
The former Eastern Avenue School (85 Eastern Avenue) was the site for the monumental mural, Schooldays, by Frederick L. Stoddard, from 1936. This multi-panel triptych was painted 8 feet high and nearly 60 feet long despite an array of unusual architectural challenges. My hunch for its original location on the main floor was confirmed thanks to Barbara Tarr. I’m looking for interior photos of the school that show the mural installed. Over time the school walls were resurfaced, doors blocked, and an elevator installed. Based on my expertise, I recognized that a stand alone piece was misattributed and must have been dispersed, not as bad as the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz after the flying monkeys descend-… still it was dire and will be amazing to have it whole once again! Special thanks go to Gloucester’s Department of Public Works.







