Good Morning Gloucester

This huge tree is on the grounds of the Sultan’s summer palace. I believe it’s a mahogany tree. Can anyone confirm?

Save the date . . . August 20, 2018, that the date we start auctioning the low number Cape Ann License Plates. Preview the plates available at Lovecapeann.com today. If you not in the market for a low number you can just scroll down and order your Cape Ann License Plate today, just click on the registry, fill out the form and it comes in the mail in 8-10 days with your new registration and sticker, you don’t even have to turn in the old plate!

Harbor side of the boulevard on a foggy morning. Still breathtaking!

Schooner Lannon Sail Tonight  July 27, 2018 Get Tickets Here

July 27, 2018 at 6:00pm (2 hours)

I had a feeling when the sun was coming out last night that we were going to have an awesome rainbow…. we were lucky enough to get a double beauty over the backshore!

When you need to ice your foot, but don’t have a way to hold it in place….you obviously grab a bait bag to do the trick.

Thanks to Paul Horovitz for sharing this only in a coastal town photo.

And though I do not “love” turtles, I am on board with reducing use of plastic straws. I’d be happy not to see another poor turtle with a straw stuck in any bodily orifice. However, I confess to not being all on board with metal straws….just unappealing to me. I will harken back to my youth and seek paper straws and hope their durability has improved over the years.

PRIVATE GARDENS of Bobbie Brooks OPEN for this weekend

A warm welcome to visit DISTINCTIVE GARDEN DESIGNS, 73 Langford St, Rt 127 in Lanesville 

Open Garden Days and Daylily Sales 

July 28, 29 – Sat and Sun – note the time to visit is 9-1

Collection of 1000 American Daylily Society registrations in bloom, with 500+ seedlings, with 200+ varieties to offer, plus 50 BB registrations, and with many potted up to carry home!

Or just come and enjoy! 

bobbie brooks
lilylady@comcast.net
distinctivegardendesigns.com

https://www.facebook.com/DISTINCTIVE-GARDEN-DESIGNS-269140633407/

Gloucester Resident Awarded Second Annual

Salem State Junior Book Award and Scholarship

Rose Degrange, of Gloucester, has received the 2018 Salem State Junior Book Award and Scholarship from Salem State University Undergraduate Admissions. A total of 50 local high school students received this award this year.

The recipients received a copy of Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand, a book which was chosen by many of the students from university community.  The recipient received a copy of the book, as well as a $1,000 scholarship to the university. To be eligible for the scholarship the student must be admitted and enroll as a first year student in the fall 2019.

The students who received book awards, all high school juniors, received a GPA of 2.75 or higher throughout their first three years of high school and have demonstrated a commitment to the community through work, volunteerism, family/peer commitment, and/or civic engagement.

Hi Joey, 

Happy Summer! 

I am a volunteer with the Mass Oyster Project.  You may be familiar with this organization.   Here is the our website:  www.massoyster.org

Mass Oyster Project is hosting a Waterfront Party at Maritime Gloucester on August 18 and thought that you may be interested in details. Attached is press release for your reference.  If you have time – come join us!   

Let me know if I can connect you with one of our Board Members for additional comments on these initiatives.   Thank you! 

Stories Songs and More

My girlfriends and I were sharing our own stories of marriage, motherhood, movies and more the other night.  One of them mentioned wanting to see the Mr. Rogers movie coming out. As we all have gotten older and somewhat simpler we realize how amazing this man really was. How present but purposeful every move, routine, and word was spoken to evoke such a feeling of welcome, love, and kindness.

My own kids have written biographies on famous explorers, Americans, and heroes of the times.  Most are noted for achieving uncharted territory and climbing some mountain top for the first time. However, most heros actually walk the same street everyday, take the same 7:08 train, and the same route on the boulevard. And, like Mr Rogers, in their quiet routine accomplish so many unspoken and trophy-less feats. Some of these heros help us journey back to our child self, you know the part of you who plays, wonders, and notices small details like lady bugs and acorns. They remind us to slow down, look up, enjoy time and a smile. They make serious note and attend to matters that are seemingly small to busy adults but to a 5 year old of the utmost importance. They call us out of our heads and into our hearts.

I had a toddler and infant swaddled in cloth heading to Stage Fort Park for some type of story time a decade ago. Instantly, magically, I was welcomed into this tribe of mothers, fathers, grandparents, children, friends, ,and two talented storytellers.  We would gather and listen, laugh and wonder. Year after year, Lucille and Alicia watched my children grow from babies to toddlers and more babies and long legged 10 and 12 year olds. One year my daughter found a tiny little teddy bear for Alicia’s puppet Pierra. To her this gift was as rich and tender as the first sighting of the Lady Slipper in Ravenswood Park.  Summer after summer they taught my children to wait, to listen, to not step in the poison ivy behind the bushes, to make a wish, to send a good thought, to laugh. But it never stopped at only those Tuesday mornings. Everytime we see Lucille walking on the boulevard or to the library or Alicia walking to the train we are embraced in their love and treated like the most important people in their lives.

Even two years ago when I was laid up in bed for a year with sickness Alicia read and responded to every heart wrenching blog I wrote sorting out the trauma and gift life had given me. Encouraging me to keep telling my story and helping me understand truly that life is about stories, songs, and more.

When I heard Lucille and Alicia were moving on from Tuesday mornings at Stage Fort Park sadness crept in that my youngest never got to meet the puppet Pierre and hear the story about Aunt Tia and be gifted a shell; a good thought at the end of July. Something in my summer shifted knowing Tuesday mornings at Stage Fort Park right on that little piece of grass has finally ended.

But  I realize it never really ends. My girlfriends and I  and their kids and my kids still will gather at Stage Fort, or the Boulevard, or in a backyard, and keep telling our stories and keep listening to each other. And we will keep sending good thoughts in the shape of acorns and sea shells.  Lucille and Alicia have taught me so much over these years and are some of my heros.

On Tuesday at 10:00 in that grassy same spot we would like to celebrate their 28 years of service to us. Come  and help us send them off with gratefulness, well wishes, good thoughts, and miniature teddy bears for Pierre.