Here’s another sweet little migrating feathered friend observed recently on our shores. A bit bigger than the Sanderlings, and not quite as large as the Black-bellied Plovers with which it was feeding, the solitary Ruddy Turnstone’s bright orange short, stocky legs and big feet are what caught my attention. Although its behavior is anything but, the Ruddy Turnstone is anther one of the birds whose plumage appears almost boring compared to its beautiful harlequin patterned summer coat.
Ruddy Turnstone, left, Black-bellied Plover, right
As are Black-bellied Plovers and Red Knots, the Ruddy Turnstone is highly migratory, breeding on the rocky coasts and tundra of the Arctic and spending winters in coastal areas throughout the world. And like members of the plover family, the male’s nest-like scrapes are part of the courtship ritual. I was excited to learn Ruddy Turnstones’s are a member of the plover family (Charadriidae) and thought it would be a great addition to our Piping Plover documentary however, as scientists are want to do, they have reclassified the RT and it is now considered a member of the sandpiper family (Scolopacidae). Oh well.
During the non-breeding season, look for the Ruddy Turnstone on rocky shorelines where it energetically feeds by probing and pecking, seeking aquatic invertebrates and insects at the surface of rocks. I believe Ruddy Turnstones are seen with regularity on the “other” Cape. I wonder how many of our readers see Ruddy Turnstones on Cape Ann, and if so so where, and what time of year? Please share, if you do, the information is wonderfully helpful. Thank you!
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People age 65 and over now make up the majority of the population in the United States. We are living longer and the majority of seniors choose to do so in the comfort of home, also referred to as “Aging in Place”. It comes as no surprise that with the senior market growing, businesses geared to seniors are also on the rise, including tremendous growth in the home care industry. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the Senior-Care Business Booms for Franchisers (August 10, 2016).
Businesses competing for the same market share often benefits us as consumers by providing us with more options. Home care doesn’t necessarily follow that rule because it’s not truly an “apples to apples” comparison. Massachusetts and the Federal government DO NOT regulate private home care agencies UNLESS the agency has contract(s) with Elder Services. Agencies, including ABC Home Healthcare Professionals that have these contracts…
For those interested in conservation right where people live, Essex Heritage and Peabody Essex Museum are co-hosting a daylong conference focused on the big topic of Scaling Up. Local, national and international experts interested in conservation planning and policy will have a chance to share, learn and network. Register on line. The conference will take place on Friday October 7th from 8-5PM at the Peabody Essex Museum and will finish up at the Salem Visitor Center. Who will be there from your town?
Speakers and symposium participants include: Keynote P. Lynn Scarlett, Global Director Public Policy, Nature Conservancy; Bob McIntosh, National Park Service; Brent Mitchell, Atlantic Center for the Environment; Stephanie Toothman, National Park Service; Emily Bateson, Practicioners’ Network for Large Landscape Conservation; Ed Becker, Essex County Greenbelt; Amanda Babson, Coastal Landscape Adaptation, Northeast Region, National Park Service; Robert O’Connor, Director of Land and Forest Policy, MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; Janey Winchell, Sara Fraser Robbins Director, Dotty Brown Art & Nature Center, Peabody Essex Museum; Eric Hove, Metropolitan Area Planning council; Colin Novic, Greater Worcester Land Trust; Wayne Castonguay, Ipswich River Watershed Assoc; Kathy Abbott, President and CEO, Boston Harbor Now; Tim Abbott, Director Litchfield Hills Greenprint, Housatonic Valley; and Rebecca Stanfield McCown, Director, National Park Service Stewardship Institute.
Call to order, welcome, and/or moderating by: Annie Harris, CEO Essex National Heritage Commission; Mayor of Salem Kimberly Driscoll; Jay Finney of Peabody Essex Museum; and Jessica Brown, Executive Director for the New England Biolabs Foundation.
The snappy logo was created by George Courage of George Courage Creative www.georgecouragecreative.com. He also designed the scenic byway logo.
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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.
I just started a Meet-Up group called “Pomeranian People” and our first meet-up will be at the Gloucester Dog Park Halloween Photo Shoot, Costume & Agility Contest. I would appreciate it so much if you could spread the word about the Dog Park event in hopes of support of the dog park, but also anyone who is looking for a Pomeranian clan of friends… LOL.
I felt not many people knew about last years event, and if people are aware in advance I believe the turn out will be awesome. Last year together we raised a lot of money for the Gloucester Dog Park’s Annual Budget, which includes the doggy bags supplied at the park, mowing and maintenance of the grounds- which is always great news for the dogs.
This seriously awesome event is possible, because of the donations businesses and people make. There are winners for the contests and actually great gifts given to those winners. Last Years Prizes included….
GIFT CARDS GRACIOUSLY DONATED BY TD BANK NORTH IN GLOUCESTER.
GIFT BASKET DONATED BY ESSEX PET SHOP & BIRD SUPPLY
GIFT BASKET DONATED BY PETCO IN GLOUCESTER.
GIFT BASKET DONATED BY ANIMAL KRACKERS.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THIS 2016 EVENT, YOU CAN DO SO ONLINE AT WWW.GLOUCESTERDOGPARK.ORG OR SEND CHECKS TO THE GLOUCESTER FUND, 45 MIDDLE STREET, GLOUCESTER, MA 01930..AND WRITE THE GLOUCESTER DOG PARK IN THE MEMO LINE. THANK YOU!!
Also, If you are a crazy pom person… Please join us here…
Tussles over turf pop up regularly between the egrets and herons feeding in the marsh. They often conglomerate in one small area to fish for minnows, occasionally steeling a catch from one another, and there is always one who appears to be the big kahuna of the marsh.
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Free Lecture on Management with Dr. Candace Thompson, Medical Director Golden Living and Karen Pischke BSN, RN, Reiki Teacher this Wednesday. October 5th. 5:30 – 7 pm. Golden Living Gloucester – 272 Washington Street. Gloucester MA.
RSVP to Kathleen Hitchcock, Director of Admissions and Marketing. 978-281-0333 ext. 31.
BIO
Their sound, though hard to define, has been referred to as “punk-blues”, “gutbucket soul” and “explosive stomp and groove”. This high-octane trio from Boston, MA has been touring every year since 2008, taking their unique form of roots and blues all across the United States.
In 2013, Ten Foot Polecats were featured in Relix Magazine and their song, “Moonshine and Mud”, was featured on the accompanying October/November CD, along with songs by North Mississippi Allstars, Jack Johnson, and others. The band also had two songs (“Moonshine & Mud” and “So Good To Me”) featured on episodes 8 and 10 of the History Channel show, “Hatfield and McCoy’s”.
In 2014 Ten Foot Polecats will be traveling half way around the world and back, literally. Check out what is going on in 2014 with the band.
TFPC has been featured on the TV Series “From Dusk Till Dawn” on the El Rey Network as their song “Squeeze” was played on the third show from this season.
Touring Europe for the first time as they will be playing The Blues Rules Festival in Switzerland and Muddy Roots Europe in Belgium in June. Other dates have been scheduled in Germany, France, and possibly in The Netherlands and UK as well.
One week tour of Alaska in early August
Playing the Garvin Gate Blues Festival along with Anson Funderburgh in Louisville, Kentucky in October
Playing Moonrunners Music Festival II with Scott H Biram, Roger Alan Wade, and more in Chicago Illinois in April
Playing Muddy Roots Festival in Cookeville Tennessee on Labor Day Weekend
Playing Dark Horse Brewery Festival in Marshall,Michigan in August
Playing The Dead of Summer Festival in New Hampshire in July
Scheduled to open for “The Moody Blues” in New Hampshire in August
Touring with Molly Gene One Whoaman Band in May. Tour stops include Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Touring with The Cannibal Ramblers in October. Tour stops include Kentucky, Tennessee, Delta area (TBD), Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio and/or Michigan
…..and as usual Ten Foot Polecats will be playing regionally across the Northeast throughout the year.
CURRENT MEMBERS:
Jay Scheffler (Vocals, Harp)
Jim Chilson (Guitar)
Chad Rousseau (Drums)
DISCOGRAPHY:
2013 – “Undertow” (Hillgrass Bluebilly Records)
2010 – “I Get Blamed For Everything I Do” (Hillgrass Bluebilly Records)
2009 – “Sterno Soup” (Independent)
SHOWCASED AT THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:
2014 Blues Rules Festival – Switzerland
2014 Muddy Roots Europe – Belgium
2014 Muddy Roots Music Festival – Cookeville, TN
2014 Moonrunners II – Chicago, IL
2014 Garvin Gate Blues Festival – Louisville, KY
2014 Dead of Summer Music Festival – NH
2013 Muddy Roots Music Festival – Cookeville, TN
2013 Heavy Rebel Weekender XIII – Winston Salem, NC
2013 Return to Milltown VII – Palmer, MA
2012 Bloody Roots Music Festival – Worcester, MA
2012 Deep Blues Festival – Cleveland, OH
2012 New England Winter Blues Festival – Salisbury, MA
2011 Muddy Roots Music Festival – Cookeville, TN
2011 Deep Blues Festival – Cleveland, OH
2011 Heavy Rebel Weekender XI – Winston Salem, NC
2011 Heavy Hammer Jamboree – Three Rivers, MI
2011 Roots, Rock & Deep-Blues Festival – Minneapolis, MN
2011 Return To Milltown V – Palmer, MA
2011 Bloody Roots Music Festival – Worcester, MA
2010 Muddy Roots Music Festival – Cookeville, TN
2010 Heavy Rebel Weekender X – Winston Salem, NC
2010 Return to Milltown IV – Palmer, MA
2010 Hot Rod & Kustom Fallout V – South Glastonbury, CT
2009 Deep Blues Festival – Minneapolis, MN
2009 Keene Music Festival – Keene, NH
2008 Keene Music Festival – Keene, NH
2008 Boston Music Festival – Boston, MA
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This weekend we have my godson Jason and his family, Paige, Ethan and Riddick visiting from Kentucky. After traveling half the day yesterday, we took them for a walk down to Annisquam Light to expel some energy on the beach and check off the first thing on Ethan’s list which was “visiting a lighthouse”. On Sunday the kids will be seeing their first Red Sox game and what a perfect first game to attend!! Loving the special gift they brought us too!
Jason, Paige, Ethan and Riddick
Happy Riddick
What a perfect gift for us!
Got their gear ready to see Big Papi!
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Here’s another sweet little migrating feathered friend observed recently on our shores. A bit bigger than the Sanderlings, and not quite as large as the Black-bellied Plovers with which it was feeding, the solitary Ruddy Turnstone’s bright orange short, stocky legs and big feet are what caught my attention. Although its behavior is anything but, the Ruddy Turnstone is anther one of the birds whose plumage appears almost boring compared to its beautiful harlequin patterned summer coat.
Good Morning Gloucester 