Ephemera…

My View of Life on the Dock
Ephemera…


We’re back from our break and open this weekend from 8 – 11 am or sell out at 1 Whistlestop Mall in Rockport. 😊
Bagel of the week: Hot Stuff – Jalapeño Cheddar 🌶️🌶️🌶️🧀🧀🧀
THE 19th
ANNUAL
TEXAS HOLD’EM TOURNAMENT
Saturday, April 26TH



Who wants a chance at winning a new Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler filled with summer essentials and scratch tickets! Prize is worth over $500!!!
$10 per entry or 3 for $25! Proceeds will go to Team Smitty and their efforts to help support local families dealing with cancer or similar hardships.
Venmo can be sent to Meagan Marrone @Meagan-Marrone (Venmo picture attached, please include name and phone number-Venmo is private, only she will see it) or cash to Dan Smith, Chip Smith, Jim Smith, or Steve Smith.
Winner will be drawn on Friday, April 25th, the day before the 19th Annual Team Smitty Texas Hold’Em Tournament at the St. Peter’s Club (details on the flyer).
About Team Smitty and our tournament:
Team Smitty is a group of people comprised of Mike Smith’s family, friends, and people that Mike had touched over the years. Our goal is to make sure that Mike’s memory and spirit lives on. We are also dedicated to helping others in the same way that our community helped Mike, and all of us, during his times of struggle.
Mike was born in Gloucester, one of 7 children. He grew up in Gloucester, graduated from Gloucester High School in 1987 and became a Gloucester Fire Fighter. Mike first battled cancer when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2000 at the age of 31. After a year of radiation and chemo, he was declared in remission. He went back to work at the fire station and continued to appreciate life and all its precious aspects.
Ten years later, in March 2012, Mike was diagnosed with cancer for a 2ndtime. Mike faced many obstacles and challenges throughout his 4 month journey. It was during this time that Mike, and all of us, witnessed the Cape Ann community offer so much kindness, support and generosity. We will be forever grateful for the outpouring of love, emotional support, and the generous donations from those around us. Despite his courageous fight, Mike lost this battle with cancer; he passed peacefully at Mass General Hospital on Saturday, July 7th 2012.
Ironically, before Mike was diagnosed for the first time, he formed Team Red Barron for the Relay For Life as a tribute to his beloved friend Chucky Pratt, who had passed of cancer years prior. He also started an annual Texas Hold’Em Tournament to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Mike ran this tournament until his passing in 2012.
Since Mike’s passing, Team Smitty has carried on the tradition that Mike started in what has now become the Team Smitty Texas Hold’Em Tourney. The tournament is a fun night that brings friends together, new and old, for a few laughs and a chance to share in Mike’s memory, while raising money to assist those in need. Team Smitty now allocates many of the funds raised to assist people in our community who are going through their own fight with this horrible disease or other family hardships.
We were blessed to have such a great support system during our time of need. In continuing the work Mike started, and in appreciation for all that was given to Mike and our family during his battle, we wish to be there in support of others in the community in their time of need.
🎉Today’s Specials🎉
🍕Buy any 18” Pizza get an 18” Cheese for $5
🍕Buy any 16” Pizza get a 16” Cheese for $5
🍕Half Off Large Pizzas
🍕 Half Off Calzones
🍔 $4.99 cheeseburgers w/ Chips & Pickles
excludes gluten free

We finally got ourselves to the Manchester Historical Association (Union St Manchester) for the Spring Art Show. This weekend is the last weekend for the show so try to get over there if you can. The show features many of the local artists you enjoy including our very own Donna Ardizzoni. It’s free and open today Friday 10-3 and Saturday 11-4. Get there before it’s gone!






Cape Ann’s public libraries—Rockport Public Library, Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library, and the TOHP Burnham Library in Essex—extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined them for a very special Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 19, at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport.
This unique collaborative event brought together four libraries and hundreds of community members to honor the wonders of the natural world. The highlight of the afternoon was a captivating conversation with acclaimed author and naturalist Sy Montgomery and award-winning wildlife illustrator Matt Patterson, who shared insights from their latest book, Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell.
“It was a joy to witness our communities come together to celebrate nature, storytelling, and the enduring power of libraries,” said event organizers. “This Earth Day event reminded us of the vital role libraries play in inspiring imagination, fostering empathy, and encouraging stewardship of our planet.”

Sy Montgomery, author of more than 30 books including The Soul of an Octopus, a National Book Award finalist, is renowned for her ability to bring readers into the heart of the animal world. Her latest work explores the resilience, beauty, and mystery of turtles—and of time itself.
Matt Patterson’s intricate wildlife illustrations, featured in The Book of Turtles—a Robert F. Sibert Honor Award recipient—showcase the rich biodiversity of turtle species and emphasize their importance within global ecosystems.
Sy beautifully captured the spirit of the day when she said, “A library is a portal not just to our own world, but to worlds unknown… a refuge, a space rocket. Libraries show us we can dream anything, do anything, be anything.”
The four Cape Ann libraries are deeply grateful to the nearly 300 attendees who made this Earth Day gathering so memorable. We hope the event sparked a renewed sense of connection—to nature, to community, and to the incredible institutions that are our public libraries.
For those inspired to take further action in support of turtle conservation, Sy and Matt recommend two local organizations doing vital work: Turtle Survival Alliance, dedicated to saving turtles from extinction and Turtle Rescue League, a Massachusetts-based group rescuing and rehabilitating injured turtles, relocating eggs from hazardous areas, and rehoming unwanted pet turtles.
Together, let’s keep celebrating, learning from, and protecting this extraordinary planet we call home.



Rally your family, friends, or co-workers and start your team today! Every participant scores one of these awesome 5K tees, and best of all… proceeds support the Alzheimer’s Association!
👉 Sign up now: https://bit.ly/2025BFB5K
Warming Up…

🎉Today’s Specials🎉
🍕Buy any 18” Pizza get an 18” Cheese for $5
🍕Buy any 16” Pizza get a 16” Cheese for $5
🍕Half Off Large Pizzas
🍕 Half Off Calzones
🍔 $4.99 cheeseburgers w/ Chips & Pickles
excludes gluten free


This summer, Cape Ann will celebrate its diversity through a joyful and enriching cultural event: the Cape Ann Jewish Cultural Festival. The festival will offer a unique recognition of the music, art, traditions, and foods that Jewish people celebrate and enjoy. It will take place onSunday, June 8th, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester and is open to the entire community.
Organized by the Chabad Jewish Center of Cape Ann, the event is designed to foster connection, cultural appreciation, and community spirit. Festival goers can look forward to a festive afternoon of live Klezmer music, family entertainment, games, crafts, local vendors, and a Kosher deli experience. Inflatables and interactive activities will keep children engaged and delighted, while adults can enjoy the artistry, cuisine, and meaningful conversations that highlight the richness of Jewish culture.
Admission, music, and children’s activities are completely free of charge.A variety of kosher foods and deli favorites will be available for purchase.
“Cape Ann is home to a beautifully diverse community, and we’re proud to celebrate that through a festival that invites everyone to share in the joy and depth of Jewish culture,” said Rabbi Avremi Raichik, Director of Chabad of Cape Ann. “Whether you’re a longtime resident or a visitor, Jewish or not, we welcome you to join us.”
For more information, or to register for the festival, become a corporate sponsor, or sign up as a vendor, please visit visit capeannjewishfestival.com
If you care about your position your vote could mean the difference between

Scalloping. I spend a lot of time over at Cape Ann Marina and have taken more than my share of photos, but this scene caught my eye the other day while driving down the causeway. I had to turn around and go back to sit and enjoy it for a bit. This dock, typically home to sport fishing boats, pleasure boats, and a few lobster boats…is now full of large scalloping vessels here for the season. It struck me as kind of a juxtaposition of what I normally see and photograph, but is equally as beautiful. The boats and hard working crews in all aspects of our fishing industry always strike me…and remind me how fortunate we are to live somewhere so special. And seeing Finn’s view, across the river at Gloucester High School, always makes me laugh. If I know my son, he spends 1/2 his day looking out the window wishing he was on the water.

Today’s the day for the special election regarding multi family zoning to comply with Massachusetts State zoning law referred to as 3A. Polls have been open since 7 AM and will close at 8 pm. Participate in the process and vote! I’ll be at East Veterans all day so stop by and say hello.




Find out at the Sawyer Free Library on Tuesday, April 29, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM!

Local tweens and teens are invited to design and plant their very own mini garden with the help of Backyard Growers. All materials will be provided—including everything you need to start growing your own garden at home.
This special event will be held at Sawyer Free Library, 21 Main Street, Gloucester.
Open to students in grades 6–12 (ages 11–19). Space is limited, so registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Have questions? Contact Annalise at anakoneczny@sawyerfreelibrary.org.



Hi Joey,
I hope you are enjoying this spring weather!
I was hoping you would be able to help promote National Drug Takeback Day in Good Morning Gloucester. The event is taking place this Saturday, April 26th from 10 am to 1 pm at the Rose Baker Senior Center. This biannual event promotes the importance of safely disposing of unused medications and is sponsored by the Gloucester Health Department, Gloucester Police Department, and the Rose Baker Senior Center.