BID FOR A WEEKEND ON A HOUSEBOAT!!! -TO BENEFIT THE KAY ELLIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Have you ever wondered about this amazing houseboat when you drive towards the bridge? Wouldn’t it be FANTASTIC to stay on it for a weekend? You can bid on a weekend stay at the live auction during the Kay Ellis Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser on August 20th!

Enjoy a sunset schooner cruise aboard the Lannon or Ardelle, followed
by dinner, dessert, local music, and a pirate raffle.

In 2017, $9,000 was awarded to students studying Hospitality and Tourism.
Join us to help support the future youth of our Cape Ann industry.

Tickets and Donations online kayellisscholarship.org
Schooner Cruise and Dock Party $60
Dock Party $40

Schooner Lannon office 978-281-6634

A scholarship fund to benefit local students of the tourism and hospitality industry has been set up in memory of Kay Ellis, who worked diligently for many years on many tourism ideas and issues and helped elevate Gloucester as a tourism destination. She loved the maritime and hospitality business and she put her heart and soul into it, working with the Chamber of Commerce and Discover Gloucester, all the while promoting Schooner Lannon. We hope to share her vision through the scholarships. 
Monday, August 20, 2018 – 6PM
Gloucester House, 63 Rogers St.
Join us for a Schooner Cruise, Dock Party, Raffles, and FUN
Get Tickets On-Line Here 

ENROLL NOW FOR CAPE ANN ARTS DAY CAMP FOR KIDS!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

MUSIC and MORE CAMP!

Registration is now open and ongoing for CAPE ANN ARTS ALIVE – MUSIC AND MORE, a week-long day camp for children aged 5 – 13. Fostering knowledge and pride in the unique character of Cape Ann, the camp runs from August 20 – 24 (M – F), 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Based at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 48 Middle Street in Gloucester, the camp is now in its third year and is open to children from all traditions (religious or otherwise). It is sponsored by the North Shore Mission Hub and supported by the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

Daily visits to nearby local points of interest provide campers with experience and performance opportunities. Each year’s campers have built a foundation of singing, bell ringing, art, drama, and movement to create a repertoire in anticipation of Gloucester’s 400th Anniversary celebrations. Works related to Cape Ann’s rich cultural heritage (songs of Stephen Scotti and Leonard Bernstein, dances like “The Lobster Quadrille” from Alice in Wonderland, and artworks such as nautical pennants and papier mâché fish) provide a wide range of artistic endeavor and productive, joyful activity. This action-packed week ends at the renowned Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Friday, August 24 with a brief, free concert at 11:15 AM. All are welcome!

The camp is staffed by local musicians known for their successful work with children’s programs: Kathleen Adams (Annisquam Village Church), Eva DiLascio (St. Paul Lutheran), Kristina Martin (1st Congregational, Rockport), and Mark Nelson (St. John’s Episcopal). Registration is $50. More details are available at stjohnsgloucester.org/musicandmore or by contacting Mark Nelson mark@stjohnsgloucester.org or 978-283-1708.

ONLY TWO PERFORMANCES LEFT OF AVP’S “THE LITTLE MERMAID”

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Dear Friends of AVP,

There are just TWO performances left of AVP’s production of The Little Mermaid: tonight and Sunday at 7:30 pm. Reviews are in and all agree it is one of our best productions yet.

Tickets for The Little Mermaid are  now available at our website and at the Annisquam Exchange. NOTE: IF BORN PAPER TICKETS WEBSITE SAYS TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT, THERE MAY STILL BE SOME AVAILABLE. CONTACT AVP TICKETMASTER LINETTE FRENCH AT 978-505-8171 IF YOU GET THIS MESSAGE.

The new sound system we recently purchased with the Village Hall Association is up and running and will be available for village hall groups throughout the year. After a few missteps opening night, it is now running beautifully and enhancing the performances nicely. Click here to make a donation to help pay for the sound system or AVP in general.

We hope you can make it this weekend!.

Annisquam Village Players

Turkish Visitor To Gloucester With Enormous Instagram Following

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

After the battle – Fife and drum parade retreat downtown

Posted on by Catherine

Weather held off for the big Reenactment of the 1775 Gloucester Falcon Battle, but the incoming tide kept things moving ahead of schedule. If you missed it – not to worry: 1623 Studios (Cape Ann TV) filmed the battle from Beauport Hotel, and there were drones in the air. Fantastic coverage of the event here on GMG: see Bridgette Matthews photos from event here on GMG  and Manny Simoes photos on GMG.

So as not to let the parade pass by, here’s a snippet of fife and drum retreat swinging through downtown after the battle. The officers gave them protection and compliments and timing of Cape Pond Ice truck was kismet.

 

fife and drum parade downtown After Battle of Gloucester reenactment_20180811_ Gloucester MA

SAVE THE DATE, AUGUST 20TH FOR THE CAPE ANN LICENSE PLATE LOW NUMBER ONLINE AUCTION!

Posted on by charlene01930

The Cape Ann Community Foundation invites you to join us at DRIFT (3 Main Street) on August 20th from 5-6 PM to help us kickoff the online auctioning of the low number Cape Ann License Plates, 1-100. The online auction will run from August 20 through Labor Day (September 3). The Bridge Cape Ann will be videoing the event. So show up and show your love for Cape Ann. The plates to be auctioned are all on Lovecapeann.com for everyone to preview. If you already have a plate and want one of the low number plates you will be able to put your current plate back in the system when you pike up your low number plate.

By Auctioning these low number plates we will be able to increase the size and number of grants in the future.

So show your love for Cape Ann and get a plate today at Lovecapeann.com!!!

Neptune smiled down on 40th Anniversary Clean Harbor Swim

Posted on by Catherine

Calm and warm water for the 40th Anniversary Celebrate the Clean Harbor Swim. Short video of the start and finish and a few snapshots from Day 1. Relays tomorrow!

Sarah Fraser Robbins (R) with Barbara Blais (L)

Sarah Robbins Evans on the right with Barbara Blais watching 40th Anniversary Celebrate Clean Harbor Swim_Evans co founder both swam it many years _20180811_©c ryan Gloucester Mass

Sarah Robbins Evans cheers and celebrates milestone she helped push through 40 years ago. Before it was celebrate the clean harbor it was…clean it. Read more about its beginnings:

Rio Waters can get better! Thanks to Dogged Naturalists We Can Put Our heads Under Water in Gloucester Aug 4, 2016

Sarah Fraser Robbins excerpt, August 10, 2016, and her seaweed recipe included here- see the sea of seaweed and mosses on Long Beach post storm Sept 2016

Gloucester Clean Harbor- H2O no nos are a thing of the past  August 12, 2016

and Conservation Inspiration: Roger Babson, Sarah Fraser Robbins, Sarah Evans, Philip Weld Jr August 15, 2016

Scenes from today

Video 2018 Niles Beach Gloucester MA Celebrate Clean Harbor Swim START roughly 9:30am

 

FINISH roughly 9:48am

 

 

 

Women to Women – small business donation drive for women in active duty

Posted on by Catherine

Roughly 20% of each branch of the Military is Women –  Woman-Owned Businesses along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway great idea donation drive in the works on Cape Ann

women to women 2 sign

We will have the boxes in shops Labor Day Weekend  thru Columbus Day. Any money donations will go towards the shipping of the boxes overseas. We will have a pick up date also with www. operationtroopsupport.com by the end of October.

As of August 11, 2018, the following Women Owned Businesses will have the boxes in their shops:

Pauline’s Gifts Gloucester
Essex Bird Shop and Pet Supply   Essex
Sea Meadow Gifts and Garden   Essex
Olde Ipswich Shop and Gallery   Essex
Bookstore Gloucester
Cape Ann Olive Oil  Gloucester
Premier Imprints   Gloucester
Roamin’ Baths Mobile Pet Spa On The Road all over Cape Ann

 

 

Reenactors, Swimmers, and Roadies: Busy morning Gloucester harbor

Posted on by Catherine

And the Block party tonight!

“Landing” – before Battle of Gloucester Reenactment – for great photos of the event, see Bridgette Matthews photos from event here on GMG  and Manny Simoes photos on GMG.

Landing of reenactors_First Battle of Gloucester Reenactment _20180811_c ryan

 

swimmers check in before the 40th annual Celebrate Clean Harbor Swim at Niles Beach, kids swim up first

 

 

 

Stage Fort Park – annual Gloucester Blues Festival preps for the music

temporary fence in place for Gloucester Blues Festival_20180811 ©c ryan

and the Block party tonight!

 

Hiding in Plain Sight

Posted on by Pat D

Monarchs in the backyard. It’s great to see them again. Peek-a-boo! I see you…

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If you look carefully on the right side of the photo, you will see the bee that startled Monarch away.

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It’s hard to stop. I love the contrast of color provided by Mother Nature.

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MIXED: A Cocktail Competition to benefit Action Inc.!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

megmerlinaction's avatarCape Ann Community

MIXED

There can be only one: 8 bartenders, 4 rums, one winner. Join us as 8 of the North Shore’s best bartenders battle to create the ultimate cocktail. You’ll watch as they mix their drink for the judges and you’ll get to sample some of the cocktails for yourself and help crown the “crowd favorite”.

While you’re sampling cocktails, Mile Marker One will provide some hearty appetizers (included in the ticket price) and post-competition, enjoy the live band we’re bringing with us!

It gets better: Proceeds from the night will benefit Action Inc, a non-profit based in Gloucester that offers affordable housing, homelessness prevention, fuel assistance, energy conservation programs, education and job training.

Purchase tickets here!

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Celebrate the Clean Harbor Swim Festival this weekend Niles Beach SCHEDULE

Posted on by Catherine

20160813_091619

Fun spectator sport even if you’re not out there! And for this special 40th anniversary it’s a two day affair. Here’s the schedule for the  (already) registered folks for  friends and fans who’ll cheer them on.

SATURDAY AUGUST 11, 2018

8:15 – SAFETY Director will meet with Kayakers/Lifeguards.
8:45 – MANDATORY Meeting for coaches, officials, and swimmers
8:00- 8:45 WARM UP

Events 

1. 8-12 year old  boys/girls 500 meter –  Event starts: 9:00 A.M. 
The race will consist of a 500m course which will be along the beach and back around green buoys   Shallow water start and shoreline finish. 

2 .  Open Men/Women 1.2 mile – Event start: 9:30 or 10 minutes after the final swimmer finishes the 500 m event.  The course will be a rectangle, starting in shallow water. The swimmers will swim approximately 0.55 miles out from the beach to a buoy where they will make a 90 degree turn to the left, keeping the buoy on your left. The second leg will be approximately 0.1 miles, and the swimmers will make another 90 degree turn keeping the bouy on their left. The swimmers will then proceed to swim back to Niles beach and finish at the orange buoy at the shore/finish line.

NEW THIS YEAR – SUNDAY EVENT

The 10 Mile Celebrate the Clean Harbor Relay.
6:30 a.m. Registration/Check in opens
7:15 a.m. Safety Meeting. 
7:30 Start of First leg.
No one will be allowed to start a new leg after 1:20.p.m. 2:00 p.m  Course will be cleared.

NEOWSA (formerly NEMSA) Printed matter about the Celebrate the Clean Harbor Swim:

The CELEBRATE THE CLEAN HARBOR OPEN WATER SWIMMING FESTIVAL will be held  August 11 and 12, 2018. This year, in celebration of 40 years of aqua activism for Goucester Harbor water quality, we are expanding to a two day open water event  sponsored by New England Open Water Swimming Association (NEOWSA), formerly New England Marathon swimming Association (NEMSA).

Starting off  the festival will be the  Clean Harbor Kids Swim on Saturday, a 500 meter swim along the shore of Niles Beach for 8-12 year olds. Held since 2015, this is a wonderful way to introduce kids to the sport of Open Water Swimming.

Also on Saturday will be the 40th Annual 1.2 Mile Celebrate the Clean Harbor Swim

For 2018, we are adding a second day to the event, creating the festival. We will be holding the  10 mile Clean Harbor Relay event on Sunday, August 12th. This event will be held on a 1.0 mile course, very similar to Saturday’s event.  We suggest teams of 5, and swimming through the rotation two times..  Your team may have more or less than 5 swimmers. We believe the more the merrier. There will be a 6.5 hour limit. This will be a fun atmosphere, so bring a beach chair/blanket, snacks, some sunscreen and shade, and have a great time hanging out on the beach between your swims with your closest swimming friends.  

Proceeds from the event will go toward supporting two organizations in the local area: Maritime Gloucester and Gloucester Fisheman’s Wives Association.

The mission of Maritime Gloucester is to inspire students and visitors to value marine science, maritime heritage and environmental stewardship through hands-on education and experiences.

The Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association is a non-profit organization promoting the New England fishing industry, helping to preserve the Atlantic Ocean as a food supply for the world, and assisting active and retired fishermen and their families to live better lives.

We have reason to celebrate this incredible resource that is Gloucester Harbor, and we owe it all to  four Cape Ann residents who, in 1979,  swam across Gloucester Harbor in protest of its polluted status. This evolved into an annual Audubon Society-sponsored event to help raise funds for cleaning the harbor, hence the name “Swim for a Clean Harbor.” When, in 1993, the harbor was deemed clean by the Audubon Society, the efforts of these pioneering swim-eco-activists became a cause for celebration and “Celebrate the Clean Harbor Swim” was born. Don’t miss this year’s event. We have reason to celebrate and what better way than to Jump in. Get Wet.”

Complete results will be posted to the New England Open Water Swimming Association Facebook page. A few prior GMG posts about the swim:

STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

After exploring the beach, the three-day-old Least Tern chick decided to take a short cut through the rocks to nestle under Mom. She was well-camouflaged while brooding and keeping warm and cozy her second chick.

He tried and tried to get to her, first hopping from one foot to the other,

while trying to squeeze with all his tiny might through the space between the rocks…

before tumbling backward, with legs splayed and wings all akimbo.

Quickly righting himself (with directives from Mom),

around he went the long way and had himself a good long snuggle under Mom.

While observing and thinking about tiny shorebird chicks, like Least Terns and Piping Plovers, I am continually struck by their resiliency, by their tenacity, and by their ability to prevail, despite the natural and manmade threats to their survival.

Segðu nafn mitt

Posted on by Alicia Unleashed

Episode 84! For those that don’t speak Icelandic, well you are going to have to listen to the full episode to find out what it means!

The “Other Alicia” is back! She dishes with us on the Hot Plate item of Match.com average cost of a first date. She follows up with us about the last time she sat down with us (there’s a lot)! She talks about being towed, Set Up gone weird? Her trip to Iceland and tips you should know!

Hot plate includes FOOTBALL IS BACK (preseason but still), RIP Roller Palace-it’s official this time. Block Party this weekend 6-10pm, Blues Fest this weekend starts at 11am. The Fred Rogers movie at Cape Ann Cinema. B also fighting the return of PSL at starbucks in late August. It’s our longest hot plate yet!

Have you liked us on Facebook yet? Or rated and subscribed to us on iTunes? IT’S A NO BRAINIER!