Dozens of seals were hanging out at Salisbury State Reservation recently. They are so entertaining and I couldn’t stop taking pictures! One seemed especially joyful frolicking and leaping around the others.




My View of Life on the Dock
Dozens of seals were hanging out at Salisbury State Reservation recently. They are so entertaining and I couldn’t stop taking pictures! One seemed especially joyful frolicking and leaping around the others.




Join Feather & Wedge for their jazz brunch this Sunday with music by jazz guitarist Peter Fedele. Peter is well known for his unique style that combines traditional jazz, with bebop, rock and funk. Reservations highly recommended. 978.999.5917
Sunday, Dec 2, 2018
10:30 – 2:30 PM

Feather & Wedge, 5 Main Street, Rockport, MA 01915
2019 Lannon Deal Coupons
Once again, we will be giving our customers the opportunity to purchase tickets for a sail onboard the Lannon at a discounted price. In 2019, our ticket prices will be going up for the first time in ten years, so be sure to take advantage of this special.
Lannon Deal Coupons are $28 each, and you can purchase up to 5 per transaction. The Coupon entitles you to join us for any of our two-hour (non-feature) sails during our 2019 season (see restrictions below). The regular price for a sail is $45, so you are saving $17 per person! That’s a great deal.
These are the ONLY ADVANCED DISCOUNT TICKETS being sold for the 2019 season.
Click HERE to buy yours now.
Within 48 hours after completing your purchase, you will receive an email at the address you provide during check-out with your coupon codes. It’s very easy!
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@schooner.org
We look forward to sailing with you in 2019. Happy Holidays.
Here is the fine print:
Hello Friends, If I have been slow to respond to emails, comments, facebook messages, photo requests, I sincerely apologize. It is because I am in the home stretch of getting all my clients decorated for the holidays and their gardens ready for winter. Beginning this coming Monday, knock wood, I can turn all my attention to films, friends, photos, programs, and book projects. See you soon 🙂
A few more snapshots from November’s full Frost Moon rising over Niles Pond
If you click on the photo to embiggen, you can see craters in the moon’s surface, especially on the left side .

You have to love living in New England, on Tuesday, windy, rainy and then a wonderful sunset. How about that crazy cloud?

The Cape Ann Artisans (CAA) invite the community to meet them Under One Roof at the Rockport Art Association (12 Main Street) on November 30 and December 1 for their 5th annual holiday show timed to coincide with Rockport’s “Holiday Shopping Night” festivities and Santa’s arrival in Rockport.
Shop for jewelry, clothing, pottery, mosaics, and more, crafted by noted juried artisans Cynthia Curtis, Anni Melancon, Marcie Rae, Beth Williams, Pam Stratton, Jackie Ganim-DelFalco, Camilla MacFayden, Ruth Worrall, Sara Wright, and Patricia Welch.

A great opportunity to try artisan led crafts, and browse for unique giftsin the shop at Rivers & Roads Store open 10am – 4pm with projects open 11am – 3pm.
Join Essex Art Collective members Alison Taylor, Jen Groeber and Kristen Wilson in the Cottage for printmaking. Tea Towels and Holiday cards will be your unique creation as they teach you how to do woodblock, monotype and nature printing.
Using many elements of nature with Leslie Burns and Kristin Larson
In the “hayloft” with Artist Barb Parker
With Colonial Craftsperson Robin Lawrenz, also in the “Hayloft”



December, yikes!
A hight light of everyone’s holiday season is when Santa comes to town by lobster boat in Rockport Harbor. Events happening between 1:00-5:00 pm. Santa’s arrival, photos with Santa, singing of carols, and the ceremonial tree lighting!
Where else can you see Santa arrive by lobster boat? Santa will arrive at Rockport’s T-Wharf on Rockport Harbor on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 1:00 PM, following a brisk lobster boat ride across Sandy Bay. Then Santa will climb up onto a Rockport Forest Fire truck and proceed along T-Wharf and Broadway to Spiran Hall (at the corner of Broadway and School Street) led by Rockport cub scouts. This year Santa will be able to linger a while to visit and have photos taken with the children at Spiran Hall until the Tree Lighting Ceremony begins. Then Santa will head over to Dock Square to greet the crowd and kick off the Tree Lighting festivities, before climbing back onto the fire truck to begin his long return journey to the North Pole.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony will get underway at 4 PM welcoming Santa and the public to Dock Square with carols and a stirring rendition of “Christmas in Rockport” performed by the Dock Square Carolers.
The Chairperson of the Board of Selectmen will offer official greetings from the Town and will conclude the ceremony by pulling the switch to light this year’s Rockport Christmas tree.

Friday, 5-8PM
Saturday, 10AM-4PM
Sunday, 12Noon-4PM
Member Adult: $10;
Member Child: $5;
Nonmember Adult: $20;
Nonmember Child: $10;
Ipswich resident: $10 with proof of residency
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition for many New England families. Don’t miss this year’s spectacular “Christmas by the Sea”. Each room in our 1920s mansion is festively decorated by florists, designers, garden clubs, or volunteers. You’ll find live music and dance, fresh baked cookies and cider, a treasure hunt, family activities, and a visit with Santa.
Make Friday, date night with evening tour hours, a cash bar, light appetizers, and festive music.
Come with friends on Saturday for great decorating ideas, shopping in the Castle Hill gift shop and Harbor Sweets pop up cafe, and more.
Bring the children on Sunday to visit with Santa, take photos, and hunt for sea-themed items in our holiday treasure hunt.
Schedule of Events
Friday, November 30, 5-8pm
Piano music by Robert Allison in the Drawing Room
Cash bar with beer, wine, and our own holiday punch in the Drawing Room
90th Anniversary of the Illyria 1928-1929 South Seas Expedition on the Third Floor
Saturday, December 1, 10am-4pm
Christmas by the Sea treasure hunt
90th Anniversary of the Illyria 1928-1929 South Seas Expedition on the Third Floor
10am Ipswich High School Bel Canto and Chamber Singers directed by Abigail Frost in Drawing Room
11am Ipswich High School Carolers in the Gallery
12Noon Ipswich Middle School Clarinet Choir in the Butler’s Pantry
1pm Ipswich High School Jazz Orchestra directed by Sean Lee in the Drawing Room
2pm String Quartet music featuring Michael Hamill, Carlos Heymann, Alice Newell, and Ann Ward in the Second Floor Bay
2pm Solstice Singers directed by Marybeth Dyer in the Drawing Room
3 pm Ipswich Moving Company’s Youth Dance Ensemble in the Drawing Room, Dining Room, and Stair Hall
Sunday, December 2, 12noon-4pm
Christmas by the Sea treasure hunt
90th Anniversary of the Illyria 1928-1929 South Seas Expedition on the Third Floor
12Noon-2pm Visit with Santa in the Second Floor Bay
12Noon Ipswich High School Honors Brass in the Drawing Room
12Noon Ipswich High School Honors Clarinet Quartet in the Dining Room
1pm Ipswich High School Chamber Orchestra directed by Michael Coelho in the Drawing Room
1pm Venti in the Dining Room
2pm Phoebe Bright in the Dining Room
3pm North Shore Ringers directed by G. Paul Naeger in the Drawing Room

Browse the holiday cheer and try your luck at winning the tree of your choice! More than 60 beautifully decorated trees will be raffled off to benefit the Ipswich Humane Society!

Marini is proud to host the Ipswich Humane Society’s 5th annual Tree Jubilee. Be a participant in this years Tree Jubilee. Decorate a Wreath or a Tree and donate it to the Ipswich Humane Society to be raffled off during the event at Marini Farm.
This is one of the Humane Society’s biggest fundraisers to help differ the increasing costs of the shelter. Although the event is free to view… 100% of any raffle purchased goes directly to our four legged friends.
Event Details
Tour the gallery of beautifully decorated trees and wreaths donated by local organizations, families, and businesses — then choose the ones you want a chance to win!
More than 60 spectacularly decorated trees and wreaths will be raffled off (decorations and all!) at the end of the Jubilee. You never know what our donors will decorate their trees with!
2018 Gallery Viewing:
Hours:
Friday, November 30th – Noon – 8pm
Saturday, December 1st – 10am-8pm
Sunday, December 2nd – 10am-7pm
Friday, December 7th – Noon – 8pm
Saturday, December 8th – 10am-8pm
Sunday, December 9th – 10am-3pm (EXTRA DAY!!!!)
Winners Pick-Up:
Date: Monday, December 10th
Time: 4pm-7pm
Where:
Marini Farm
259 Linebrook Road
Ipswich, MA 01938Admission: FREE!
Raffle Chances: $5/10 chances
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
An inviting sight, although it makes me a little nostalgic for summer.

CHRISTMAS FAIR
Saturday, December 1, 2018
8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Annisquam Village Hall
32 Leonard Street
Annisquam
The Annisquam Christmas Fair features handmade holiday greens, center pieces, wreaths and plants; exceptional handmade crafts and a glittering display of costume jewely. Beautifully wrapped foods, baked goods and preserves all prepared by our members grace our gourmet table; and there is even something for a beloved pet! Delightful hostess baskets, grab bags and our own Circle of Recipes cookbook are popular traditional items at the fair.
A delicious three-course Luncheon will be served at 12:30 and tickets are $18. Reservations are recommended. Please call 978-283- 2247.
Founded in 1837, the Annisquam Sewing Circle is one of the oldest continuous independent societies of women in the United States and is the oldest one on Cape Ann. All proceeds from the Fair are contributed by the Annisquam Sewing Circle to Cape Ann community programs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8o6oxAN5nc
Warm and inviting in the summer, our beaches can be a little rough in fall and winter. Recognize any of them?
Here’s a list of some of the ones we included:
- Cape Hedge Beach
- Niles Beach
- Good Harbor Beach
- Front Beach
- Back Beach
- Long Beach
- Marmion Beach
- Old Garden Beach
Prepared by McDermott & MacCarthy of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty. Visit CapeAnnWaterfrontGuide.com for your free waterfront report.
Warm and inviting in the summer, our beaches can be a little rough in fall and winter. Recognize any of them?
Here’s a list of some of the ones we included:
Prepared by McDermott & MacCarthy of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty. Visit CapeAnnWaterfrontGuide.com for your free waterfront report.
IMAGE ~ NOVEMBER 28, 2018 ~ MIDDLESTWALK ~
IMAGE ~ NOVEMBER 28, 2018 ~ MIDDLESTWALK ~

Which local Roast Beef joint will come out on top. We will drill down and report our findings.


Head on over to Feather & Wedge in Rockport this Thursday for some great jazz!
Thursday, Nov 29, 2018
7:30 – 10:00 PM
Enjoy a great dinner while listening to Kevin Scollins on guitar and Sahil Warsi on double bass, two of Boston’s best rising jazz artists. They’ll be playing selections from the Great American Song Book as well as some modern jazz, contemporary blues and R&B.
Reservations suggested! 978.999.5917

News headlines about a pilot sleeping past an Australian destination* without any disastrous outcome prompted my son to show me several cartoons by Mark Parisi and Gary Larson. (This happens with Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes as well, mostly related to his take on fine art.)
Syndicated cartoonist and author, Mark Parisi, a Gloucester native, Off the Mark published 6/23/18: “…hope it didn’t wake you up like it did to us in the cockpit.”
We enjoy an annual holiday tradition of grabbing the latest Off the Mark calendars at the Weathervane store on Main Street.
*”A commercial pilot is under investigation after falling asleep in the cockpit of a freight plane and overflying his Australian island destination by 29 miles (46km), officials have said. The pilot, who has not been identified, was the only person aboard the twin-propeller Piper PA-31 Navajo Chieftain and was flying on autopilot during the early morning flight on 8 November from Devonport, Tasmania, to King Island in Bass Strait, his employer, Vortex Air, said in a statement on Tuesday.” from the Guardian
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