Good Morning Gloucester

Yesterday, at the Businesswomen’s Luncheon presented by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce at the Gloucester House, Hannah had yet another crowd on the edge of their seats as she spoke about her new book A Woman’s Place Is at the Top. I haven’t made every event that she has spoken at this book-season, but the ones I have attended have been inspiring to say the least. Yes, I’m married to Hannah so there would appear to be a bias, but this post is not. Of course, I’m a proud husband who gives her the full support and what not. But again, this isn’t some eulogized puff piece about how awesome my wife and her writing is. This is the view of a cameraman, and an observer, an angle that was altogether different.

To separate myself from who or what I am to Hannah may seem impossible, but I can easily sit in that place from behind my camera as I work. When I’m capturing the world around me, I can easily disappear as a person, friend, or even a spouse when my world through a lens consumes me, as it often does. Now, Hannah has a pure talent for holding a room in the palm of her hand, and no I’m not talking about dinners at our house mantled in wine and food. This is the professional Hannah, the teacher Hannah, and the scholar Hannah that you find when you come to see her talk about her book and the adventures she has had in creating it. And she damn good.

After the ooh’s, aah’s, laughter and looks of “Nooo shit, she really did that?” that usually fill the room every time she gives a talk, comes the line. The autograph line. Thankfully, the fine folks at The Bookstore of Gloucester show up when they can with boxes of books to sell. (For the record, Hannah is published by St. Martin’s Press, so no she doesn’t own the books, and she’s not self-published, so that money isn’t going to my beer fund.) So as Hannah finishes her last comments and thank-yous for coming, she invites folks to go back of the room to the table where the stacks of books are, and she will happily sign each and every one. But this never happens. Before Hannah get’s a chance to leave the podium, the line immediately forms right in front of her, every time and without delay. People race to the back, buy up as many books as they can, sometimes this more than 4 books at a time, and they rush back to queue up with an anticipation of Cosco shopper in free-sample line, that’s starving. On this occasion, the women, (all women in this event’s case), are clutched with book in hand and a story of parallelism to match. I see this at all the events. This is when it happens. As I stare at my screen, through my lens, I see the excitement, passion, and respect that these women have on their faces and what this means to them, and I’m shook.  When I zoom in to get the tight shot of the eyes of each woman, I see the admiration, the respect, and a thankfulness for Hannah coming here and sharing her story with them. A look that usually only seams reserved for the eyes of a grandparent gazing at their newborn grandchild, or a mother when her baby smiles back, or every little girl that lines up to meet Justin Bieber face to face. Yes, it’s that powerful. This occurs in the small spaces of silence between fan and writer as Hannah signs each book at their request. As I try to keep the focus of my lens, compose and move my shots, I’m taking aback by these moments over and over. They are coupled with the stories of inspiration, the requests of whom the book will be autographed to, and the multiple thank yous and “atta-girl” “You keep grinding” comments that shower her at every podium I’ve witnessed. I look down the line to see the others waiting as they chat to each other and share like moments. I found the support, love, and appreciation for what Hannah’s book has done to be remarkable and well deserved.

I realized in these moments the power of the word, the power of the pen, and the power of a woman who is inspired.

Later, after the event, Hannah asked me “Did you film any of the women getting books signed?” As I pictured my framing over her shoulder, the tight shot of each woman’s eyes with the edge of Hannah’s hair cutting into the frame, as they went between looking at what she was writing and looking up at Hannah without her with that gaze of admiration, I said “Yes honey, yes I did.”

If you want some inspiration, click the photo link to buy your own copy from Amazon!

Or head down the Bookstore of Gloucester and get one now!!

Every copy was sold at the event, and money was raised for the Carolyn O’Connor Scholarship. Well done ladies. Gloucester is a better place because of the work these women do.

Here at Beauport, one of my favorite places.

Not only is it TGIF but it’s a spectacular, crisp morning in the neighborhood! Today’s view from Annisquam Yacht Club.

The boys have challenged me to make hunting for stellar Halloween decorations a thing like when we drive around and look for the best Christmas light displays in December.  So, for the next few weeks we’ll evidently be looking for and taking photos of Halloween decorations.  Feel free to share good locations!

Here’s some found at the Rockport Inn and Suites.

Stage Fort Park is being prepped for the 19th annual Gran Prix cyclocross race this weekend.  However, despite the markings on the ground and the stakes placed to guide the riders, the Park still has many beautiful settings.

However, anyone considering a crystal ball purchase should be VERY AWARE that it is very very easy to start a fire, as you can see here.  The leaf got too close for comfort, so it was reminded to keep its distance by setting it ablaze.  Yikes.  This is a very serious warning that these can be very dangerous, especially at this time of year.

Beautiful morning on Wonsons Cove.

Cape Ann Community

Cape Ann Community Bulletin Board

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Welcome To Cape Ann Community Bulletin Board

JOEY C ~

A place where non-profit Cape Ann organizations can post press releases directly and then those press releases will be reposted to http://www.goodmorninggloucester.com . This is not an advertising space for businesses, fitness or wellness organizations, or music listings.

The web address will be http://www.capeanncommunity.com

To have your community organization news posted here, contact Joey C who will grant access for you to post directly.

The Open Door Autumn Breakfast

OCTOBER 12, 2017 ~ THEOPENDOORMA

Please join The Open Door for our annual Autumn Breakfast on Thursday, October 26, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Cruiseport Gloucester. This celebration of community spirit kicks off the 2017 Thanksgiving Meal Basket and Food Drive season.

Breakfast is free. Donations requested. Reservations required by 10/23. Call 978-283-6776 ext. 205 or emailing breakfast@foodpantry.org.

Can’t make it? Want to help? Donate online or find out more at www.FOODPANTRY.org.

Age & Dementia Friendly Community Forums

OCTOBER 12, 2017 ~ TRIXY546

Your Input is Critical!

SeniorCare Inc. will host four Community Forums throughout Cape Ann to begin a discussion of how Cape Ann can become more Age and Dementia Friendly.  The four Forums will be led by Dr. Caitlin Coyle from UMass Boston, and will be held at:

• Rockport Community House, Tuesday, November 7, 2017, 10:30am-12:00pm
• Gloucester’s Rose Baker Senior Center, Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 6:00-7:30pm
• Essex Town Hall, Thursday, November 16, 2017, 2:00-3:30pm
• Manchester Community Center, Thursday, November 16, 2017, 5:00-6:30pm

Members from all aspects of the community are encouraged to attend, including government, human service agencies, health and beauty, finance and banking, media and information services, private business, and—possibly the most important group—caregivers and persons directly impacted by aging and dementia. Interested individuals are welcome to attend one or all of the Forums.  Your input is critical.

What makes a community Age and Dementia Friendly? Are the sidewalks conducive to wheel chairs and strollers? Does transportation for seniors who no longer drive meet the need? Does our community make a person with dementia or other challenges feel welcome?

These are just a few of the questions the Age and Dementia Friendly initiative will aim to answer.

These Forums are made possible through a grant from the North Shore Community Health Network.

To learn more about SeniorCare’s mission to serve elders and adults with disabilities on the North Shore, please visit our website www.seniorcareinc.org.  As the discussion on Age & Dementia Friendly Cape Ann progresses and Action Teams are formed, the website will include a section about this initiative.

SeniorCare Hosts Facing Death, Finding Peace Workshop

OCTOBER 12, 2017 ~ TRIXY546

SeniorCare Inc. will hold a “Facing Death, Finding Peace” workshop with interfaith minister and master teacher Reverend Sue Koehler-Arsenault, M.Div., on Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the SeniorCare offices at 49 Blackburn Center in Gloucester. The cost for this workshop is $35 per person and includes lunch. Advance registration is required at www.seniorcareinc.org. Registration is limited to 20 people.

Through guided meditation, personal reflection and group sharing, Reverend Sue Koehler-Arsenault, will lead 20 participants toward making peace with the end of life so that they may live a more purposeful and powerful life now.

Rev. Sue earned her Master of Divinity degree with distinction from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (Boston College in 1994). She has served as chaplain at Wellesley College where she was part of a pioneering interfaith spiritual life program, working with Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Protestant, Unitarian, and Muslim colleagues and students. Later, as Chaplain with Community Hospice in Schenectady, NY she became a skillful spiritual counselor and end-of-life educator. In November 2014, Rev. Sue moved to Cape Ann with her husband, artist David Arsenault. She is Dean of Second Year students and teaches on the Spiritual Care of the Dying at One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in NY, NY.