We came across this guy recently and I was thrilled. Capturing a photo like this has been on my bucket list for a while now! Wish granted, thanks to Cape Ann’s eternal beauty.

Stay tuned for the release of today’s podcast for the story: the Ralph-cast podcast.

186 main street..great gifts

Donna Ardizzoni / Circle Consulting Group 978-526-9222

Allen Estes is a gifted singer-songwriter whose time has come!   

Click Here To Check Out Allan Estes Kickstarter                    

His music is cinematic and speaks to relationships, the world at large and specifically to the magical area he calls home, Gloucester, Massachusetts.

“Our Humble Queen of the Harbor” was written in memory of Kay Ellis (pictured bottom middle)

A portion of the funds for this CD will be donated to the Kay Ellis Memorial Scholarship. The song, “Humble Queen of the Harbor,” was written in memory of Kay Ellis, who, with her husband Tom, built the Schooner Thomas E. Lannon 1997. There have been many years of, as Tom puts it, “sailing in circles in Gloucester Harbor,” and many music sails that Allen has been a part of. The music sails were Kay’s idea! Kay’s passing in 2016 left a big hole in the waterfront community.  Several months after her passing, the scholarship fund in her name was established to benefit students of the Tourism and Hospitality fields. An annual ‘Sunset Sail and Party on the Dock’ has raised funds for the scholarship and since then 6 scholarships of $3000 each have been awarded to date.

Allen’s music is instantly memorable, the kind of music that stays with you, the kind you can’t get out of your head. Allen says, “These new songs deserve to be out in the world, and hopefully you will share our vision.” We hope you will get involved and support this new record project! Rewards range from a “Sincere Thank You” to a House Concert with many levels of support in between, including a private lesson with Allen for those budding singer-songwriters- wouldn’t that make a great gift!

Recording at Q Division Studios

It was one hundred years ago today that the war known as The Great War, World War I, ended. This war had taken a great toll on the world, and it was no different for Gloucester. Not only did the war rage, but so did the Spanish Flu Pandemic. The headlines every single day told of another loss to war or disease.  So I am certain this headline from Nov 7 1918 was a very welcome sight.

And, a few days later on Nov 11 1918, the Gloucester Daily Times published this:

And, although the 100th anniversary of this profound event may go somewhat unnoticed, the staff at Sawyer Free Library are (as always) right on top of things, offering this display of war related items and various media. One of my Facebook friends shared a link to an audio recording from the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. It’s short and definitely worth a listen.

But perhaps the greatest headline of all was this one. One year later, Armistice Day was first recognized. It later became Veterans Day as the country found itself involved in other wars and acknowledged those who served. Thank you to our veterans and active military today and in the past.