After painting buoys, the McElhennys stopped by the police station to meet several of the awesome Gloucester police officers. Dax could not have been more thrilled with his official Gloucester police sticker badge and officer cards.
Middle Street Walk
Mark your calendars for the Annual Middle Street Walk, Saturday, December 9, 2017.

Give the Gift of Cape Ann!
If you want a gift for the person who has everything stop by the Cape Ann Chamber Of Commerce and pick up a gift envelope for free, you add the $40.00 and they can order their very own Cape Ann Licence Plate. All the instruction are in the gift envelope, you just add the cash. The proceeds from the plates fund non-profits grant request on Cape Ann. This year Cape Ann Farmer’s Market, Action and Backyard Growers were all recipients of grants. So spread the Cape Ann Love!
The Cape Ann Chamber also has Gift Certificates that can be used at over 200 local merchants. You will be giving a gift that won’t be returned and supports Cape Ann Businesses.

Who else is like this while driving to pick out a tree?
Craig driving to Wolf Hill be like…
buoy blockbuster @Cape Ann Art Haven

Steady line out the door!
Martin Ray’s new book! Cape Ann Narratives of Art in Life
Cape Ann Narratives of Art in Life, by Martin Ray
December 4, 2017 at Trident Gallery
“The book will be offered for sale at $30.00 during a SIGNING PARTY at Trident Gallery, 189 Main Street, Gloucester, 3:00-5:00 Sunday afternoon December 10. At 4:00 I will give remarks of acknowledgement to the profilees and to the team which coalesced to grace the printed book with elegance. I hope to see you there.” – Martin Ray
January 13, 2018 Cape Ann Museum reception and panel

Welcome Santa!

Since I can’t be on the dock to greet Santa in Rockport later today (1 PM), I will have to settle for this recent purchase from Fred Bodin’s collection available at Cape Ann Auction. According to Walt Kolenda at the store, this probably dates from the 70s. This week’s Gloucester Daily Times noted this event has been taking place since sometime in the 70s so perhaps this is an early version. Perhaps some GMG readers have insight as to a more specific date?? And is that Mike Tupper at the helm with the Halibut Point t-shirt?? Gotta love Santa’s sneakers. I’d be wearing some pretty solid footwear if that was me!! Great job to all the Santas and their drivers out there.
Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting Named 2017 Massachusetts Retailer of the Year
Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting Named
2017 Massachusetts Retailer of the Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SALEM, MASS., November 16, 2017 – Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting has received the prestigious Massachusetts Retailer of the Year Award from the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.
“’Retailer of the Year’-worthy businesses are those that continuously go above and beyond to provide their customers with an exceptional product, unparalleled service, and that demonstrate originality in all they do,” the Retailers Association of Massachusetts said of the award.
Judges visit nominees’ businesses and retail locations, and give the award based on factors such as attentive customer service, attention to detail, creative store design, and visual interest.
“We are honored to be named Retailer of the Year,” said Julie Arcari Cook, CEO of Landry & Arcari. “All of us at Landry & Arcari take intense pride in what we do —we love rugs and we strive each day to provide a seamless and exceptional customer experience. We sincerely thank our valued customers and employees as well as the Retailers Association of Massachusetts for its continued support of the Bay State’s retail community.”
The Retailers Association of Massachusetts awards were presented on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at noon, at the annual Association’s luncheon at the Conference Center at Bentley University in Waltham.
Governor Charlie Baker delivered the keynote address and weeknight news and business anchor Mike Nikitas of New England Cable News Network (NECN) presented the Awards.
To celebrate this award and as a show of appreciation to its customers, Landry & Arcari will be having a store-wide sale on all in-stock handmade rugs and carpeting, now thru December 2, 2017.
Special Olympics Torch Run

Join the Cape Ann Sharks and athletes of Special Olympics (CASO) teams by running, walking or donating. Your funds help support the programs for all the athletes on Cape Ann, including swimming, soccer, bowling, track and field, basketball and bocce.
Join the fun….Join the Team!
This Sunday, December 3rd, Centennial Park in Peabody for the 2017 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics!
WEST PARISH LOBSTER TRAP TREE BUOY PAINTERS!
Art Haven’s Executive Director Traci Thayne Corbett and Cathy Kelley are doing a fantastic job managing the fabulous buoy painting taking place daily after school. Today they were joined by volunteers Michael Kelley and Lianna Sours. The finished buoys are gathering in great piles all around the studio. Today’s ernest artists were representing from West Parish Elementary. Saturday, December 2nd, buoy painting continues, and is open studio day for any young person.
Michael and Cathy Kelley, Lianna Sours, and Traci Thayne Corbett
West Parish Elementary: Friday – 12/1 – 3:30-5:00pm
Open Day for Everyone: Saturday – 12/2 – 10:0am – 1:00pm
Rockport Elemenary School: Monday 12/4 – 3:30-5:00pm
O’ Maley Middle School: Wednesday – 12/6 – 3:30-5:00pm
Open Day for Everyone: Wednesday – 12/6 – 3:30-5:00pm
Manchester/Essex Elementary: Wednesday – 12/6 – 3:30-5:00pm
Lobster Trap Tree Lighting and Party at Art Haven after
Buoy Auction
TEN POUND ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
LANESVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CHRISTMAS FAIR SATURDAY DECEMBER 2ND
In This Corner . . .

75% OFF THE FEE TO JOIN!
Another reason I feel so blessed

Lobster Trap Tree Lighting and Party
It is that time again, Gloucester wonderful Lobster Trap Tree Lighting. The work on this tree this year is amazing. Take a walk down Main Street and look how beautiful it is.


#Shrimp On The @WeberGrills Performer #KISS
Keep It Simple Stupid.
So often we get caught up in complex recipes with a million ingredients when some of the best things are simple to make with just a few.
Shrimp peeled and deveined. Swathed in butter and minced garlic.
A half a chimney of charcoal spread evenly on the bottom of the charcoal grate.
A turn or two and when the grill flares up from the dripping butter close it to snuff out the flames. Easy Peasy lemon Squeezy. 5 minutes prep time 5 minutes cook time.
Done.
Delicious.

Goodlinens Studio 1st Year Celebration
BEST GINGERBREAD HOUSE EVER, Thanks to Sista Felicia!
For those of you who don’t know, Sista Felicia makes the most gorgeous and precious holiday cookie collections you’ve ever seen…in addition to a ridiculously long list of other culinary treats for the tastebuds.
I was so mad at myself for missing out on ordering her Halloween and Thanksgiving cookies…they kind of go like hot cakes….so, as soon as I saw heard that she was putting together gingerbread house kits, I reached out and ordered one!
Hands down one of the best holiday purchases I have ever made. I mean, I knew it would be great….but great is beyond an understatement. The time, care, attention to detail, and holiday spirit that goes into each and every kit is priceless. Finn and I picked it up the other day and were immediately dying to tear into it….but, we patiently waited…although not for long. I was able to hold the boys at bay for two nights, but come Tuesday, they couldn’t wait another second.
As we untied the bow, opened the box, unwrapped the goodies, and spread out the enormous number of treats, candies, intricate decorations, icing, and beautifully baked gingerbread roof and walls the boys’ imaginations starting racing. We have built Gingerbread Houses every year….but, this one takes the cake.
We melted the little hard candies into beautiful stained glass windows and went crazy decorating. The boys worked happily while listening to Christmas carols until we ran out of frosting. My boys were a bit heavy handed with their frosting application, otherwise we could have continued for another hour easily.
The best part is that we still have so many candy decorations left that we can go back this weekend and decorate lots more! The boys want to make a shed and a doghouse.
If you are interested in ordering do so quickly! No doubt these will sell out FAST!
sistafeliciaskitchen@gmail.com

A Day Made for Poets and Artists
I took a walk on Good Harbor Beach this week in the sunshine and wind. The sand was swept toward the ocean pushed by the wind, rushing to meet the incoming waves. This picture doesn’t really show you how the sand was moving, but picture “Lawrence of Arabia” sandstorm and dial it back a couple of notches. (Allow me to note that I was crunching in sand in my teeth as I got into the car to leave just to add some color to the imagery.)

As the wind pushed and the tide approached against the wind, lovely spindrifts left the impression that the water and sand were moving as a couple out to sea.

If you look hard and squeeze your eyes a little, you can see the sun allowed for a little rainbow to make an appearance. Think “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and dial it back several notches.

Invigorating. Thank you Mother Nature.















