A new moon represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of another new 28 day cycle. Sun conjunct Moon gives an invigorating burst of energy and initiative. This is an excellent time for making a fresh start and turning over a new leaf or starting a new project. You can also question old habits, behaviors and beliefs as you search for new and inventive ways to make progress.
The effects of the December 18 new moon last four weeks up to the January 16 new moon. The best time for making a fresh start and for beginning new projects is during the first two weeks of this new moon cycle. This waxing phase of the Moon lasts from December 18 to the January 1 full moon.
Give this gift to yourself – it’s free but worth millions.
What do you get that hard-to-buy-for person on your list this holiday season? A Cape Ann Gift Certificate! These can be used at over 200 participating shops, restaurants, service businesses and more. Your gift… their choice. Click Here for a list of participating businesses.
Not only is this a great gift option, but it is a wonderful way to support our local businesses. They can be purchased at either Gloucester Shaw’s locations, Tuck’s Candy & Gifts in Rockport or at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.
You can also give the gift of Cape Ann by giving a Cape Ann License Plate to friends and family. Stop by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce to pick up a free Cape Ann License Plate gift envelope – the perfect stocking stuffer! And remember the proceeds go back to the community. Plates can be ordered online and are mailed right to…
$34,900.00!!! RAISED FOR BEAUTY ON THE WING DOCUMENTARY! THANK YOU GENEROUS DONORS!!!!!!!!!!!
WITH THE GREATEST APPRECIATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS AND SPONSORS, I AM OVERJOYED TO SHARE THAT TO DATE WE HAVE RAISED $34,900.00 FOR THE DOCUMENTARY FILM “BEAUTY ON THE WING” ONLINE FUNDRAISER, with a recent grant awarded in the amount of $10,000.00.
Friends of the Monarch Butterfly: If you would like to help towards the completion of the documentary film Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly, please consider making a tax deductible donation here:
For an overview of the film’s budget, please go here: Budget
Thank you so very much for your help.
With gratitude,
Kim
MY DEEPEST THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO LAUREN MERCADANTE (PRODUCER), SUSAN FREY (PRODUCER), NEW ENGLAND BIOLABS FOUNDATION, JOHN HAUCK FOUNDATION, BOB AND JAN CRANDALL, MARY WEISSBLUM, SHERMAN MORSS, PETE AND BOBBI KOVNER (ANNISQUAM AND LEXINGTON), CLAUDIA BERMUDEZ (LEXINGTON), JAY FEATHERSTONE, MIA NEHME (BEVERLY), CHICKI HOLLET, JUNI VANDYKE, ERIC HUTCHINSE, KAREN MASLOW, MARION F. (IPSWICH), ELAINE M., KIMBERLY MCGOVERN, MEGAN HOUSER (PRIDES CROSSING), JIM VANBUSKIRK (PITTSBURGH), NANCY MATTERN (ALBUQUERQUE), DONNA STOMAN, PEGGY O’MALLEY, JOEY C., CATHERINE RYAN, JOEANN HART, JANE PAZNIK BONDARIN (NEW YORK), ROBERT REDIS (NEW YORK), NUBAR ALEXANIAN, PETER VAN DEMARK, PATRICIA VAN DERPOOL, FRED FREDERICKS (CHELMSFORD), LESLIE HEFFRON, JIM MASCIARELLI, DAVE MOORE (KOREA), LILIAN AND CRAIG OLMSTEAD, JOHN STEIGER, PAT DALPIAZ, AMY KERR, BARBARA T. (JEWETT, NY), ROBERTA C. ((NY), MARIANNE G. (WINDHAM, NY), PAULA RYAN O’BRIEN (WALTON, NY), MARTHA SWANSON, KIM TEIGER, JUDITH FOLEY (WOBURN), PATTI SULLIVAN, RONN FARREN, SUSAN NADWORNY (MELROSE), DIANE LINDQUIST (MANCHESTER), HEIDI SHRIVER (PENNSYLVANIA), JENNIFER CULLEN, HOLLY NIPPERUS (BROOKLYN), HILDA SANTOS (SAUGUS), TOM HAUCK, AND ANONYMOUS PERSONS FOR THEIR GENEROUS HELP.
The Monarch migration of 2017 was the latest ever recorded and the butterflies are continuing to arrive!
The region where the Monarchs spend the winter is confined to a narrow altitudinal band across twelve trans-volcanic mountaintops in central Mexico. This narrowest of overwintering habitat is only 73 miles wide. What allows the Monarchs to survive in these these twelve habitats? The sites are at a high elevation of 10,000 to 11,000 feet, where the temperature hovers around freezing at night and warms during the day to about 50 to 60 degrees. The towering cathedral-like Oyamel Pine Trees contribute to creating the perfect microclimate to meet the butterflies needs by providing shelter from harsh winds and when the Monarchs cluster together high up on the Oyamel boughs they maintain a cool temperature, which conserves the fat that they stored on their southward migration.
During the month of December, the all important work of counting the butterflies takes place. Several years ago a late migration occurred (not as late as this year’s) and the scientists counted the butterflies a bit too early. I hope they wait until much later in the month to begin the count.
If you would like to learn more about how to count Monarchs, go to this to link to an interview that I conducted with Thomas Emmel, the Director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity at the Museum of Natural History of the University of Florida, Gainesville. Dr. Emmel is a butterfly population specialist and has been counting the Monarchs since 1980. The interview took place at Sierra Chincua Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Angangueo, Mexico.
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With early predictions of a Snowy Owl irruption heading our way and several sightings in Gloucester, I have been periodically popping over to Cranes Beach in Ipswich. Thanks to Bill Foley, Cranes Chief of Police (and Kate’s awesome Dad!), who showed me around and provided some great tips on locating the Snowies, I was able to find one second time out. The first day was a bust because a dog owner had allowed his dog off leash. I watched the dog chase the Snowy, who then headed far and away over the dunes. This made me so very sad for myriad reasons, but especially so at Cranes Beach because there is a fabulously huge area that dogs are allowed off leash. Anyhow, seeing the Snowy that first day, and knowing he was there, was all I needed to keep trying.
Dunlins, Sanderlings, Snow Buntings, and Horned Lark
That day, a flock of Dunlins was resting in the sand, with one lone Sanderling, and there was a small flock of Snow Buntings in the parking lot. Feeding amongst the flock was, what I believe to be, a female Horned Lark!Second day out was wonderfully rewarding. Approaching the stairs to descend to the beach, I inadvertently startled a Snowy and he flew from the area, way, way down the beach, perching on one of the poles that mark the access to the Green Trail. Off I trudged in 15 degree weather, keeping my eyes peeled on where he was resting. He stayed for quite some time while I stood back at a great distance, not wanting to disrupt his hunting. Suddenly, and with what I thought, great bravery, he flew quite close and past me, heading over to the sandy beach. I wasn’t anticipating his flight and didn’t get much of a photo, but it was exquisite to see.The temperature had climbed to twenty, but I was getting worried about exposed photo fingers and frostbite. After taking a few more photos and some footage of the Snowy in the sand, I very reluctantly headed home.
Today I didn’t see the Snowy Owl, but did find a scattering of Snowy feathers in the sand, in the same area where one had been hunting the previous week. I showed the ranger at the gate, Emily White, the feathers and she confirmed they were from a Snowy. She said that hawks and falcons will attack Snowies. I didn’t see any bones or body parts, so hopefully it wasn’t a fight to the death. Emily was super helpful and shared lots of useful information. This year’s Audubon Christmas Bird Count at Cranes was relatively uneventful, with fewer numbers counted than usual. Many more beautiful birds will be arriving to our shores in the coming weeks, foraging in the dunes and shrubby habitat, and hopefully, there will be lots more Snowy Owl sightings!Emily White, Cranes Ranger
Song Sparrow eating ripe beach grass seed heads.
Yellow-rumped Warbler winter plumage.
More scenes from the Green Trail
Scofflaw dog owner
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We are very lucky to have such great stores to shop locally. Also when you are shopping at these great shops it is always fun to talk to the shop owners.
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Saturday was such a special day thanks to those who made Cape Ann Wreaths Across America a success. After The Pledge of Allegiance and color guard presented by the Gloucester Sea Cadets, the morning began with opening words by co-chair of Cape Ann Wreaths Across America, Amanda Orlando Kesterson, and Cape Ann Veteran Services director, Adam Curcuru. Veterans representing all branches of our armed services then laid ceremonial wreaths followed by a special wreath presented by Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken from the City of Gloucester. Volunteers then placed wreaths on veterans’ graves in Beechbrook Cemetery. Just one hour later, a second ceremony and wreath laying took place in Rockport’s Beech Grove Cemetery.
Many volunteers came out despite the frigid temperatures. Also on hand were State Senator Bruce Tarr, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, City Councilors Sean Nolan, Jamie O’hara, and Joe Orlando, as well as U.S. Senate candidate Beth Lindstrom. Judging by the success of Saturday’s event, I hope that next year is even better.
The video below shows the opening ceremonies of the day’s events.
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Please join us in Kyrouz Auditorium at City Hall on 12/20 at 3PM for the 2017 Linzee Coolidge Philanthropy Award Ceremony honoring the community service & leadership provided by Barbara + Dick Wilson. #GloucesterMA is a better community thanks to both so let’s honor them together for this great occasion.
I LOVE that the 2017 US Postal Service celebrates Ezra Jack Keats classic picture book, The Snowy Day (1962), on a forever stamp. What a great addition to a long line of children’s picture books, characters, authors and illustrators that have been commemorated on U.S. postage stamps. Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee takes suggestions…Ok, everyone, please let them know VIRGINIA LEE BURTON is a must. Burton received a Caldecott Medal as did Keats. Katy and the Big Snow would make a great winter stamp. It’s easy to envision a plethora of sheets celebrating Burton: vehicles, scenes, beloved characters, her design and typesetting. Burton should be a Google doodle, too. Let’s let the Google doodlers know~ proposals@google.com #VirginiaLeeBurton
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Good Morning Gloucester 