Apple of my eye

Posted on by Pat D

It was a half day of school for the Gloucester kids on Tuesday so we accompanied some of our favorite Gloucester schoolchildren on a trip to Russell’s Orchards in Ipswich to do some apple picking.  Now, I’ve never picked apples at an orchard.  Sad, but true.  I HAVE picked dead squishy apples up from the ground so my Dad could mow the lawn, but I don’t think that counts as apple picking even though we were paid the princely sum of a nickel per BUSHEL.

It was a lovely day to be outside and Russell’s has a great set up.  There’s a small per person charge to enter the orchard (which is credited toward the cost of the loot you bring out of the orchard) and an easy walk up to the trees.  The trees are well marked and LOADED with several varieties.  It took us very little time to get the apples we wanted, so then it was time to look at the pumpkins.  Kids and pumpkins.  You can’t really go wrong.

As we were checking out, I got an “emergency” call in request for a dozen cider donuts to be delivered to the dock upon our return to East Gloucester.  The store area was full of tempting aromas and the donuts were still warm when I purchased them.  I was there solely for the apple crisp, but – just my luck – none was available for the rest of the day.  Lucky for me, this means another trip to Russell’s in our near future.

American Crafts Week Press Release

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

IN CELEBRATION
GLOUCESTER SELECTED BY “AMERICAN CRAFT” AMONG TOP TEN USA CITIES AND TOWNS FOR BEST ARTS (ARTISTS) AND CRAFTS (CRAFTERS)!

American Craft Week (AmericanCraftWeek.com) awarded Gloucester as one of the top ten US cities and towns for best arts and crafts. This prestigious award is the result of public voting. Additionally, Gloucester has been selected the past two years by “American Style” Magazine as one of the top ten destinations in the Country for arts!
In celebration of National American Craft Week (October 6-October 15), artists and crafters, as well as businesses who make and/or sell American-made arts and crafts, and who are located in Gloucester/ Cape Ann are planning wonderful public events all week!
In addition to the Cape Ann Artisans Studio Tour (Capeannartisans.com), which incorporates amazing demonstrations and sales by 22 artists and crafters in 19 locations during the weekend of October 7-9, many Gloucester businesses, studios and galleries will also be providing special events all week long!
Look for the signs in windows everywhere!!
Some of the events in Gloucester include, but are not limited to:
Good Linens (goodlinenstudio,com), 130 Main Street, will exhibit the work of eight artisans and provide a stone carving demonstration by Ann Conneman..
DIVA (Donna’s Infinite Variety of Adornments) (AdornmentDIVA.com), 161 Main Street, will have a week-long sale on all one-of-a-kind pieces made by more than 120 contemporary American jewelry artists.
Local Colors (www.local-colors.org), 121 Main St., is sponsoring a special exhibit entitled, “TINY ART,” in which 16 artists have been challenged to produce work in small sizes and in a variety of mediums. These creations will be on display, and a special reception (public and free) will be held on October 14th from 5-8pm.
Sadie Green’s Jewelry (saidegreens.com), 205 Main St., will be holding a special week-long, 30% off sale on all vintage reproduction jewelry made by American artists.
Calvo Studio (www.DavidCalvo.com) 235 East Main St., a multi-awarded wood carver will exhibit historic and custom work all week.
Art Haven (arthaven.org), 180 Main St, will have an open costume workshop for children on October 15th.
Gallery 53, (rockyneckartcolony.org/gallery-53-on-rocky-neck), 53 Rocky Neck Ave, will show the works of 32 local artists,and on October 7, from 6-8pm, will hold their Season’s End Party with a special exhibit and prizes made by the artists. A different artist will be available each day.

For additional information and updates, go to DicoverGloucester.com and CapeAnnChamber.com.

Cancer: Awareness, Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Saves Lives

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Karen Pischke BSN, RN's avatarCape Ann Wellness

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and SpiritYour Bridge to Health; Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

October is Breast and Liver Cancer Awareness Month.

Reminder to Schedule a Mammogram!

How many people face a diagnosis of cancer?

Statistics from 2017–  Here you will also find information about ways to prevent and treat cancer, and good news about prevention and survival rates.

The Good News, According to the American Cancer Society –

  • A substantial proportion of cancers could be prevented
  • All cancers caused by tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption could be prevented.
  • Many of the more than 3 million skin cancer cases that are diagnosed annually could be prevented by protecting skin from excessive sun exposure and avoiding indoor tanning.
  • Screening can prevent colorectal and cervical cancers through early detection and removal of precancerous lesions.
  • Screening is known to reduce (death rates) for cancers of the breast, colon, rectum, cervix, and lung (with long-term and/or heavy…

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beautiful By the Sea Sotheby’s Cape Ann Plein Air commercial video by Tom Curry

Posted on by Catherine

Tom Curry video By the Sea Sotheby’s International Realty  Cape Ann Plein Air

and here’s Curry’s Beauty of  Rockport

 

See more about the event in Kim Smith’s  post, with Mayor Romeo Theken’s photos

There’s another By the Sea Sotheby’s TV spot I’ve seen that is beautiful and features Gloucester, Cape Ann and North Shore landmarks.

if you’re not using the ITTT App You’re Living in the dark ages

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 

Just one example-

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Here’s just one of the applets you can run out of literally thousands.

Get way more out of your smartphone with IFTT.

For Android- Here’s the link

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For iPhone- Here’s the link

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A SPECTACULAR PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY IRRUPTION HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

The sheer number of Painted Ladies migrating are stealing some of the Monarchs thunder!

Many readers have written inquiring about the beautiful butterflies with wings in a tapestry of brilliant orange, brown, black, cream, and blue. Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui) are often confused with Monarch butterflies, especially during the late summer. Both are currently migrating and you will often see the two species drinking nectar side-by-side.

As do Monarchs, Painted Ladies depart from Mexico to begin their northward migration in springtime. Both Monarchs and Painted Ladies belong to the brush-foot family (Nymphalidae) and can only survive in warm climates.Monarch Butterfly, top, and Painted Lady bottom. Note that the Painted Lady is about half the size of the Monarch

Sightings from the midwest recorded large numbers early in the season, and 2017 has proven to be an outstanding year for this most successful of butterflies. The Painted Lady is also nicknamed the “Cosmopolitan” butterfly because it is the most widespread butterfly in the world.

Painted Lady drinking nectar from the Seaside Goldenrod at the Gloucester HarborWalk

One reason we may possibly be experiencing a Painted Lady irruption in North America is because a rainy spring in the south was followed by a fabulous bloom of dessert annuals that provided abundant food plants for the caterpillars. Unlike Monarch butterflies, which will only deposit their eggs on members of the milkweed family (Asclepias), Painted Lady caterpillars eat a wide range of plants. More than 300 host plants have been noted; favorites include thistles, yarrow, Pearly Everlasting, Common Sunflower (Asteraceae), Hollyhock and many mallows (Malvaceae), various legumes (Fabaceae) along with members of Boraginaceae, Plantaginaceae, and Urticaceae.

Common Buckeye and Painted Lady Nectaring at the Seaside Goldenrod at the Gloucester HarborWalk  

Much, much more remains to be discovered about the beautiful Painted Lady, its habits and how their behavior and seasonal distribution varies by geographic location.

Read More about Painted Ladies here:

DANCE OF COLOR AND LIGHT

Painted Lady Drinking Nectar from the Purple-stemmed Aster

DEDICATION OF GORGEOUS NEW ALTAR PIECE CARVED BY GLOUCESTER’S FISHERMEN’S WIVES SCULPTOR MORGAN FAULDS PIKE

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Morgan shares the following. Thank you for letting us know–simply beautiful!

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD OPENS AT GLOUCESTER STAGE!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

AN AMERICAN CLASSIC

 

HARPER LEE’S

 

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

 

OPENS AT GLOUCESTER STAGE 

 

Gloucester Stage Company wraps up its 38th season of professional theater on Cape Ann with Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird from October 6 through October 27 at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA. Director Judy Braha brings Christopher Sergel’s stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel to life on the GSC stage. A timeless American classic, To Kill a Mockingbirdexplores civil rights and racism set against the backdrop of the segregated South of the 1930s and as seen through the eyes of 10 year old Scout Finch as she watches her father, attorney Atticus Finch, strive to prove the innocence of a black man unjustly accused of rape. The cast is led by Lewis D. Wheeler as Atticus Finch; Amanda Collins as Jean Louise Finch, Carly Williams as Scout Finch,Thomas Rhett Kee as Heck Tate, Cheryl Singleton as Calpurnia, Douglass Bowen-Flynn as Mr. Gilmer and Boo Radley, Stewart Evan Smith as Rev. Sykes, Cliff Blake as Bob Ewell and Mr. Radley, Thomas Grenon as Walter Cunningham and Judge Taylor, Teresa Langford as Mrs. Dubose and Mayella Ewell, and Aaron Dowdy as Tom Robinson. Two Gloucester residents and Gloucester Stage Youth Acting workshop students make their professional stage debut inTo Kill A Mockingbird: Nathaniel Oaks as Jem and Gabriel Magee as Dill.

All Photos Gary NG

READ MORE HERE Continue reading “TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD OPENS AT GLOUCESTER STAGE!” →

The Butterfiles have been amazing

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Butterflies on a daisy bush off of Shore Road is incredible, also on Stacy Boulevard, the flowers thanks to Generous Gardeners are attracting Butterflies and Bees. Take a walk and watch these beautiful butterflies land on the flowers and eat.




#GloucesterMA Good Harbor Beach Salt Island: Greenbelt in GDT & lifeguards interviewed for NBC Boston NECN news

Posted on by Catherine

Salt Island, Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, MA, is for sale. Unimproved and undeveloped, Salt Island is a natural monument, a beacon. For generations,the Island seemed as free as the air and sea, the beaches and shore. All were welcome at the right tide– daily the beach and island are connected. There’s an innate understanding that visitors need to respect the natural property much as they would when visiting a national park. Yet Salt Island is owned privately; it’s simply left wild and public.

Yearly taxes were paid by the family. The City provided yearly services; for instance lifeguards to help stranded visitors, unaware of the tides.

Is it possible to compensate the owner in the most advantageous way (some combination of sale, waiving estate taxes, credit for donation) to clear up any future ownership confusion and protect the means of public access, minus vague qualifiers (“left open as resources allow”) or increasing any necessary costs? Land steward organizations sometimes sell property or limit access, laws and environment change, funds for care deplete. Is there a common sense path that considers Salt Island as Good Harbor Beach– it’s attached daily– and accorded the same balance of care that the beach has legally maintained since the 1920s?

NBC Boston Rob Michaelson report on Salt Island sale

above – Lifeguards have a summer suggestion in the VIDEO link For Sale in Mass: A $750K Island Packed With History. “This small island in Gloucester, Massachusetts has hosted a major salt theft, a lobstering hermit and a Hollywood production.” by Rob Michaelson for NECN NBC Boston

above- photos of Good Harbor Beach lifeguards moving a signature chair after a morning conditioning training session that involved swimming and running the length of Good Harbor Beach,  twice. Foggy drizzle, low tide connection to Salt Island

below– link to Coalition Aims to Buy Salt Island: Greenbelt Negotiating Bid for Save Our Shores, by Ray Lamont Gloucester Daily Times

coalition aims to buy salt island GDT Ray Lamont Oct 3 2017

infinite moods of Salt Island

GMG post about Salt Island includes a historic timeline and links to prior ‘for sale’ stories published by Cape Ann Beacon and Boston Globe

Ponant Cruise ship off of Shore Road

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Beautiful cruise ship off of Shore Road. Look this Ponant Cruise Ships on line and seems that they are private cruises. Nice way to travel.

For more information please follow the link below:
https://us.ponant.com/transform-your-world/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=Lien_texte&utm_campaign=Brand&ectrans=1&gclid=CL_-i56w1NYCFU-HswodLncKeQ

Annisquam Exchange end of the season Sale

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

THE ANNISQUAM EXCHANGE
• Everything is NOW: 20% OFF
There is a wide variety of vintage collectibles, jewelry, artwork, textiles, kitchenware, gifts and more.

LAST DAY OF OPERATION: Sunday, October 8, 2017
Hours from 10- 4 during the Arts and Crafts Show
32 Leonard Street (Annisquam Village), Gloucester, MA 01930

info.annisquamexchange@gmail.com

That Ship Has Sailed

Posted on by Nichole S.

That ship has sailed….well, actually, The Ship has sailed.

I’m not sure how I missed this fact until just last weekend, because I’m fairly certain I’ve been by since its demolition, but regardless…it is gone.

What’s next?  Hilltop or the Orange Dinosaur Mini Golf….oh, wait.

Local fun fact:  I read last night that the ship was actually built by a retired Gloucester sea captain named James F. Wilkinson….back in 1925.

WEB-Lyfd-1-11-17-Owen-ship-2
Photo from itemlive.com 

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