Berkshire Museum court case today – order for oral arguments as follows

Posted on by Catherine

John Adams Courthouse Superior Court Boston MA_20180301_© C Ryan (8)_105946 (1)

Courtroom 2 at John Adams Courthouse is quiet now but come noon today the Berkshire Museum deaccession  art case will have it’s next day in court, this time the highest in the Commonwealth.

Attorneys for Parties (The Trustees Berkshire Museum and Massachusetts AGO) vs. Amici (Patti and Hatt groups) will present as follows:

Amici will go first  Tom Patti and Hatt groups, then AGO, and Trustees last. Justice Lowy can decide to allow the patries’ petition, deny it, or reserve and report which means bringing the case back to the full court.

Continue reading “Berkshire Museum court case today – order for oral arguments as follows” →

A Little Bit Magical. A Little Bit Scary.

Posted on by Pat D

Genetics.  A little bit magical.  A little bit scary.  What our ancestors gave to us and what we give to our descendants is a bit like a dish that gets passed down the family line.  It can get a little bit banged up on its journey down the family line but we think it’s beautiful regardless.  That dish belongs to us.  The stories of our ancestors belong to us too and we share them with many others who experienced similar struggles and joy along the way.

Ancestry recently released a new DNA tool that tracks our DNA to “genetic communities”— many people from an area that share similar DNA and had similar life experiences.  These life experiences often led to migration.  Migration like this became like a worn path you follow through the woods mostly because someone else had already done so ahead of you.  These patterns can give us clues as to how our ancestors ended up in Gloucester, for example.  It may not be as simple as the Potato Famine pushing the Irish across the sea.

Most of my  Irish seem to appear in the Boston/Gloucester area in the 1860s or so and this is what Ancestry has to say about their Irish migration during that time period:

The Great Famine Migration

During the Great Famine, potato blight ruined Ireland’s main source of food. Although the horrors of mass starvation were highest in the southwestern province of Munster, its people felt a deep connection to their native land and culture, and emigrated only as a last resort. If they did not die or enter the infamous workhouse, the poor opted for the short journey to England. Others with a little more money crossed the Atlantic to settle among the poor in urban areas in the United States, with New York the most common destination.

The Irish this might apply to include James Handran, Timothy Ryan, John Bentley, Martin Costello, Julia McDonough.  So far, we think our Irish hail from Galway, Meath, Sligo and Clare (all areas within this Munster region).  GMG Jimmy giggled when he saw that these regions of Ireland were suitable for hiding criminals and rebels.

Our Newfoundlanders include John Edward Handran and Mary Ann Squires.  These people often migrated to Nova Scotia (John Pierce, Phoebe Nickerson ) before settling in the Cape Ann area.  In general, the Canadians came to America a little later than our Irish and this is what Ancestry has to say about that time period for them:

Cod Decline Pushes Newfoundlanders to New England

Overfishing cod caused economic instability on the island. The promise of lucrative jobs meant some Newfoundlanders headed to New England coastal towns, particularly Boston. In America the transplants often found work as fishermen, factory workers, and servants.

And another BINGO!!! It feels darn great to have my research confirmed in this way with pretty maps and dotted lines!

Native filmmaker, local fishermen | Dead in the Water at Cape Ann Cinema tonight

Posted on by Catherine
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photo: Wittkower filming at sea — with PAUL VITALE, GLOUCESTER

Tonight Cape Ann Cinema TUES. MAR. 20 @ 7:30PM

ed. note reposting:

David Wittkower’s full length documentary about the Gloucester fishing industry, Dead in the Water, was produced by Wittkower,  Linzee Coolidge, John Bell and Angela Sanfilippo. Music is by Paula Cole. LA based filmmaker, Wittkower, returned home to Gloucester, and was surprised by how different the docks were from the same ones he scrambled over as a kid. What happened? Prior local screenings were held at Rockport High School and Cape Ann Museum.

Dead in the Water documentary poster
Dead in the Water – the documentary, poster @GloucesterHouse “Fishermen have survived Nature’s fury at sea. But can they survive the Perfect Storm at home?”

Cape Ann Cinema Dead in Water

 

 

 

Beautiful Fish: Armored Sea Robin -By Al Bezanson

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Its body is entirely clothed with bony plates of considerable size.

Occurrence in the Gulf of Maine—

Trawlers tell us they sometimes take these brilliant crimson fishes on the southwestern part of Georges Bank. And they must be rather common outside the 60-fathom contour, for we saw 89 specimens trawled there and south of Nantucket at depths of 66 to more than 185 fathoms, by the Albatross III in May 1950.

From Fishes of the Gulf of Maine by Bigelow and Schroeder (1953) online courtesy of MBL/WHOIhttp://www.gma.org/fogm/Peristedion_miniatum.htm

 

St Joseph ‘s Alters by Roseanne Cody

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

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Roseanne Cody and devoted followers visit some of the many St Joseph alters through the City of Gloucester.

 

More photos – 4th Annual Welcome Home Cape Ann Veterans Mission at Gloucester MA Elks Lodge #892

Posted on by Catherine
4th Gloucester Elk Lodge #892 Welcome Home Initiative March 18 2018 _130158 ©c ryan (9)
Caffe Sicilia celebration cake

Gloucester and Cape Ann’s generous community join together to pull off this awesome, model initiative. Numerous volunteers prepare for and host on site. The welcome home bundles are loaded up with community business gift certificates and support.

4th Gloucester Elk Lodge #892 Welcome Home Initiative March 18 2018 _130158 ©c ryan (8)

The organizers– Adam Curcuru, Vionette Chipperini, Jayne Morse– and Mayor Romeo Theken welcomed attendees. The guest speaker, Lt General Mark O.Schissler (USAF Retired), and Marcia (Deacon) Schissler  retired here. Marcia grew up in Gloucester. Their enthusiam and positivity are a delight–say hi when you see them! The Lt General urged Veterans to stand on their service, reminding them who they are: “You make sacrifices. You willingly give of yourself and give up time to serve in the military…Hold on to it and move forward…the skills and confidences you build up a little bit over time will be great here and going forward. You’ll help make communities stronger–as strong as they can be…As you prepare for other chapters in your life, you will carry these skills and capabilities in to your next chapter… and the next, always. We honor you today and join together to celebrate and give thanks for your service and talent. This event–look around you…We’ll be there for you, take care of you now…”

4th Gloucester Elk Lodge #892 Welcome Home Initiative March 18 2018 _130158 ©c ryan (27)

Final note from Adam Curcuru, Director Cape Ann Veterans Services

“Great day at the Gloucester MA Elks Lodge #892 for the 4th Annual Cape Ann Veterans Welcome Home Initiative. Welcome Home to all our Veterans and thank you to all our Volunteers, local businesses, and community for supporting our Veterans.” 

4th Gloucester Elk Lodge #892 Welcome Home Initiative March 18 2018 _130158 ©c ryan (28)

THE GREAT GLOUCESTER CLEANUP

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

The Great Gloucester Cleanup is Saturday 21, 2018 at 9 AM- 11 AM.  The One Hour at a Time Gang will be be at St. Peter’s Square.  For more information please go directly to directly to the following link:

Gloucester Clean City Commission

gloucestermacleancommission@gmail.com

More information will be coming as the date gets closer.

Thank you and hope to see all there.

Gloucester High School spring sports Registration is OPEN

Posted on by Catherine

Julie Smith, Gloucester Public Schools Director of Athletics, reminds Gloucester students that SPRING SCHOOL SPORTS REGISTRATION is open.

Public art repurposed GHS floor fishermen logo Gloucester MA high school ©c ryan_20180110_150616.jpg

“Thanks to all of those who have already registered.  This follow-up announcement is especially for parents and guardians of O’Maley student-athletes…  We look forward to seeing you on the tracks, fields and diamonds!  Bring on spring!”

prior notice: March 4, 2018

“Spring school sports season is two weeks away!  All are encouraged and welcome to participate in GHS and O’Maley Middle School Sports.  Please check out the offerings below and follow the instructions to register.  Contact the sport coach listed below for assistance. 

Please be aware that Gloucester is in Year 2 of MIAA-approved Coop Waivers which allow Manchester Essex Regional High School (Track and Field) and Rockport High School (Boys Lacrosse) to compete together with GHS.

We are in the process of pursuing Middle Level Waivers from the MIAA in order for 8th, and in some cases 7th-graders at O’Maley Middle School to participate on GHS sports teams.  Please stay tuned for future announcements upon MIAA approval of the applications. 

Be sure to check out the offerings below and email the sport coach directly with questions.  MIAA Spring season begins Monday, March 19th.  We look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,

Julie Smith, Gloucester Public Schools Director of Athletics

GLOUCESTER HIGH SCHOOL and O’MALEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

SPRING 2018 SPORTS REGISTRATION

  • GHS Boys Baseball – Open to Grades 9-12.  Pursuing middle-level waiver. 
  • GHS Girls Softball – Open to Grades 9-12.  Pursuing middle-level waiver. 
  • GHS Boys Lacrosse – Open to Grades 9-12 at both GHS and Rockport High Schools.  Pursuing middle-level waiver.
  • GHS Girls Lacrosse – Open to Grades 9-12 at GHS.  Pursuing middle-level waiver.
  • GHS Boys Tennis – Open to Grades 9-12.
  • GHS Girls Tennis – Open to Grades 9-12. 

Please note that coaches will likely need to limit the number of team members, given the facts that there are five tennis courts available to GHS and the program has been over-enrolled in recent years.

  • GHS Boys Track and Field – Open to Grades 9-12 at both GHS and Manchester Essex Regional High Schools.
  • GHS Girls Track and Field – Open to Grades 9-12 at both GHS and Manchester Essex Regional High Schools.
  • O’Maley Middle School Boys Track and Field – Open to Grades 6-8.
  • O’Maley Middle School Girls Track and Field – Open to Grades 6-8.

“Opening Day” is Monday, March 19thth!

Ready to register?  Please follow these steps!

GHS and O’Maley registration is in the same program so be sure to select the correct school and sport!

  1.  Register on FamilyID.com.  Parents/Guardians and Student-Athletes need to do this together.  Link to Athlete Registration:

https://www.familyid.com/gloucester-public-schools-ma-athletics/athletes-only-gloucester-high-school-and-o-maley-middle-school-spring-2018-athletics-registration

  1.  Provide proof of a physical exam within the last 13 months to the sport coach.
  2.  Provide proof of completion of a certified concussion course to the sport coach.  Link to National Federation of High Schools course:

http://www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=15000

  1.  Pay the Spring 2018 User Fee, as well as any unpaid User Fees from previous seasons to the sport coach.

Instructions are included in the FamilyID registration.  Forms and payment must be submitted to the sport coach.  Contact the coach at the email address below for more information.

GHS Coach Email Addresses:

Boys Baseball, Bryan Lafata:                                    bryan@legendsbaseball.net

Girls Softball, John John Nicastro:                   jnicastro@gloucesterschools.com

Boys Lacrosse, Dylan Girard                                     dylangirard10@gmail.com

Girls Lacrosse, Mike Lattof                                        twinsaints@aol.com

Boys Tennis, Derek Geary                                        derekfoxxgeary@gmail.com

Girls Tennis, Cassandra Bradley and Cate Arkins   15cbradley@gmail.com

Boys Track and Field, David Coleman          dcoleman@gloucesterschools.com

Girls Track and Field, David Coleman                     same as above

O’Maley Middle School Coach Email Address:

Boys Track and Field, Allie Mitchell                         alexandraf82@gmail.com

Girls Track and Field, Allie Mitchell                         same as above

Happy St. Joseph’s Day!

Posted on by charlene01930

St. Joseph’s Novena is a nine day prayer, a way if praying with perseverance, modeled after the nine day period the apostles prayer before Pentecost. This year the Altar at the Mohan’ s was dedicated to Adoring Mother, Mary, mother of our Lord and all of the children everywhere.

Please grant the prayers of all those who faithfully prayed this novena. Bless the with your Love.

Next stop nationals! Gloucester High School Cheerleading Team New England champions

Posted on by Catherine

courtesy photo from winning routine 2018 New England champs

Julie Smith, Director of Athletics, shares great news about the Gloucester High School Cheerleading team:

“Please take a moment to watch the amazing Gloucester High School Cheerleading team and their winning routine, out of a field of 18 teams, at the NEW ENGLAND championships yesterday at Southern New Hampshire State University. According to Coach Erica Mitchell, yesterday’s competition was the “Super Bowl of the New England competitive cheer world.”  The team captured back-to-back State Titles in the Fall and Winter seasons.  The New England Championships are a culmination of the two seasons and only occur at the conclusion of the Winter season.  This is the program’s first New England Championship since 2007.  The team departs for Florida where they will compete in the National Championship this weekend.”