I am some pleased that I got tickets to this year’s Cigar and Rum cruise aboard the Schooner Thomas E Lannon. I’ve missed the boat a few times because I waited to get tickets.
Here are some pictures and a few videos:
Book a sail on the most beautiful boat in Gloucester Harbor, The Thomas E Lannon www.schooner.org
Summertime holds a special place in our memories, when as children we had the time to drink in our world and make imagined adventures come to life. Flatrocks Gallery’s new show, Summer Drift, is a collection of work evoking those days, featuring oil paintings by Sara Egan and Frances Hamilton, and sculpture and drawings by Kyle Browne.
frances-hamilton-two-fish
Kyle Brown-cork boats
Sara Egan, the nooning (after W.H.) oil on board
Sara Egan is best known for her public art. Her large scale installations – bold multi-media abstractions inspired by poetry or purely formal considerations – can be seen throughout Boston. To Flatrocks Gallery Sara brings her most recent work, which uses her home in Annisquam as her muse. These oil paintings are a departure from her large scale work. They tell warm, intimate stories, day dreams into which the viewer is welcomed. Her colors are vibrant, and her brush strokes are drenched in sunlight. Egan uses a quote by Gaston Bachelard from The Poetics of Space to describe her work: “We comfort ourselves by reliving memories of protection. Something closed must retain our memories, while leaving them their original value as images. Memories of the outside world will never have the same tonality as those of home and, by recalling these memories, we add to our store of dreams.”
Frances Hamilton’s paintings and collage have been exhibited throughout New England for over 25 years and are widely held in private and corporate collections. With this series of paintings of the old Brynmere Hotel in Annisquam and a cabin on Squam Lake, Hamilton invites us into places full of emotional echoes, where visual archeology of past and present offers rich material for contemplation. By using her command of color and light Hamilton “has explored layered memories of summer… to examine and embrace the passage of time and the preservation of family identity which animates the empty rooms.” These are paintings that stay with you, with subtle details that invite the viewer to find new paths into each work. In addition Hamilton offers her Toy Boat monotype series. These are playful, deceptively simple images that are guaranteed to make you smile.
Kyle Browne returns to Flatrocks with new work from her ongoing exploration of the “consciousness of place.” Browne is essentially an environmental artist, primarily doing site specific sculptures and graphite drawings using natural material. She offers a series of boats made from cork tree needles from the Arnold Arboretum, where she has recently had a solo show. Browne states, “This idea of using a boat for a symbolic journey is a recurring theme in my work, and I want to continue to push this idea through these imaginative explorations of site, nature and material…… travel, navigation, shape, the implications of childhood and nostalgia. A boat to me is freedom. The boat becomes a means of escape as well as a vessel to travel through time among the waves of the unconscious.” Browne also offers, from her investigations in Franklin Park Zoo, prints of charcoal drawings titledThe Consciousness of Bear Cages.This series, which eventually morphed into an short animation, speaks to our collective memory using bold and dramatic marks to tell the story.
Summer Drift runs from July 14th – August 14th. There will be a reception for the artists Saturday, July 16th 6-8pm.
77 Langsford St. Gloucester, MA (978)-879-4683 Open Thu-Sun noon to 5pm.
Historic Middle Street Walking Tours at the Cape Ann Museum
History and Culture while you walk.
The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to present its Historic Middle Street walking tour on Saturday, June 16th. Middle Street represents an ever-evolving neighborhood packed with four centuries of social, economic, and architectural history.
All tours begin at 10:00a.m. in front of the Cape Ann Museum. Guided walking tours are held rain or shine and last about 1½ hours; participants should be comfortable being on their feet for that amount of time. $10 Museum members; $20 nonmembers (includes Museum admission). Space is limited; reservations required. Call (978)283-0455 x10email info@capeannmuseum.org for details. Tickets can also be purchased online at Eventbrite.
Not a member of the Museum? Join now and get discounted tickets to all our events!
Image credit: Thomas Sanders / Dr. H.E. Davidson house Middle Street, c.1870. Cape Ann Museum Library & Archive.
Did you know that a resident of Middle Street, Gloucester, saved the town from a British attack by sea during the Revolution? Or that a leading feminist and religious free thinker lived halfway down Middle Street? Or that the 1764 Saunders House that forms part of the Sawyer Free Library has undergone at least three radical architectural changes including a massive Victorian tower? Four centuries of Gloucester’s social, economic, and architectural history are packed into this one short street in the heart of downtown Gloucester. Join us for a docent-led tour of an ever-evolving neighborhood where you will see surviving evidence of the past and will learn about structures and people now gone.
Upcoming Middle Street Tour Dates: Saturday, July 16 and Saturday, August 20
Grand Fatilla returns to Rocky Neck!
Saturday, July 16 2016, 7:00 to 9:30 PM
The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck,
6 Wonson St Gloucester MA 01930
COST: $25 / $20 for Rocky Neck Art Colony members
“The Grand Fatilla experience has been described as a magic carpet that carries listeners to both known and unknown places, and is delivered by a collective of virtuoso players whose wide-ranging approach to world music defies convention. Sharing a love of gypsy-infused, cross-cultural folk music, Club d’Elf bassist Mike Rivard, electric mandolinist Matt Glover and accordionist Roberto Cassan joined with percussionist and singer Fabio Pirozzolo in 2008, and Grand Fatilla was born. The band has built a considerable following that is notable for its varied ethnic make-up, with audience members drawn to the music’s infectious drive and authenticity. The group journeys from Argentine Tangos to Italian Tarantellas, from Turkish sacred Sufi songs to Irish reels, Moroccan trance to Bulgarian dance music, all showcasing intricate arrangements and improvisational interplay.
The band’s debut CD, Global Shuffle, garnered a 4 star Downbeat Magazine review, with the Midwest Record calling it “Spirited, high octane stuff that’s loaded with gleeful abandon as it takes you around the world in a song, this is the real sound of global party music”. In this age of heightened global consciousness, Grand Fatilla’s repertoire pays homage to the idea that ours is indeed One World, and the music of diverse cultures transcends boundaries and enriches us all.
Artist Demonstrations on Rocky Neck ~ Saturdays 1-3
Trish Conant Demonstrates
Making Jewelry from Precious Metal Clay
SAT, July 16, 1-3pm
Gallery 53 on Rocky Neck
53 Rocky Neck Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930
Gallery hours, Sun – Thurs 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, Fri and Sat 10:00AM – 8:00 PM
Gallery 53 on Rocky Neck is sponsoring a series of artist demonstrations for the 2016 season. On Saturday, July 16th jeweler Trish Conant demonstrates texturing techniques and explorations in wet, dry and fired pieces of precious metal clay. Conant is a special education teacher with a passion for creating. She has been making jewelry for over 15 years and began using precious metal clay in 2004 when she purchased her first kiln. From the moment the clay touched her hands she was hooked. Her focus in on uncomplicated designs, finding beauty in simple shapes and organic textures without compromising purity of form. In addition to the Rocky Neck Art Colony, Conant is a member of several Maine craft groups including Designing Women, The Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen and The United Maine Craftsmen.
For more information call Gallery 53 at 978-282-0917.
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In partnership with one another, Awesome Gloucester and Awesome Rockport will distribute 134 pink envelopes containing undisclosed amounts of cash across our neighboring communities. Together, our chapters will give away a total of $2000 in free cash over the course of a single weekend. The dates of distribution are July 16 and July 17.
In addition to the cash, we will also insert a brief note in each envelope requesting that recipients (a) do something awesome with the money and (b) share a story about what they did via email or through social media. We intend for our guerrilla philanthropy effort to persuade our fellow community members to help us spread the interests of awesome in the universe.
Naomi Lee was called and offered an opportunity to show her art for the second time at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, MA, through the end of July.
Naomi says she is so happy to be able to share her feelings on canvas. Her passions, the warmth of the sun, the calm of the moon, respect for the strength of the wind and the power of the sea.
Naomi, a self taught artist has been asked to take part in exhibiting at the Marblehead and Beverly Art Festivals. Also, The Annisquam Art Gallery for the past three years. She is currently a member of the Beverly and Salem Art Associations.
You can see other art by Naomi around town at the Cape Ann Brewery, Capt Bill’s Wale Watch and the Welcome Center at Harbor Loop. Her next art show is scheduled at Cape Ann Coffees for the months of September and October
86 Bass Ave Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 282-1717
Naomilee1950@hotmail.com
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Piping plovers have quite a story. In Massachusetts, the vast majority are south, Cape Cod and the islands. By the close of the 19th century, these birds were near extinction. They rebounded successfully by the 1950’s.
I spoke with Dave Rimmer of Essex County Greenbelt, Marion Larson with Ma Wildlife, Deborah Cramer and Chris Leahy. All of them have updates for GMG which I’ll add next. First,
Chris Leahy, MA Audubon, explained that a second age of precipitous piping plover decline occurred in the 1960s and 70s. What do you think it was?
Read on to find out.
Mass Audubon grabbed on and worked closely with many to solve the problem early. It turns out the population plummet correlated highly to a steep increase in vehicles driving on beaches. The baby fledglings could not climb out of wheel ruts and perished, or were squished by the next roaring set of wheels.
Not the only vehicles, but I do recall dune buggys everywhere,especially down the Cape. They were cool and celebrated in TV and film: Steve McQueen driving on Crane’s Beach (just past Coffins) in the Thomas Crown Affair, Elvis through waves, Adam 12, Monkees, Bionic Woman, Speed Buggy /Scooby Doo, the list goes on and on.
“That was big!” said Leahy. “Once that connection was figured out, the goal was how to restrict vehicles.” Massachusetts is far and away a leader in piping plover conservation and decades later a nesting pair on Good Harbor Beach is a major insight into just how well Massachusetts has done. Piping plovers have nested on Coffins Beach before; Good Harbor, Lynn and Revere are relatively new.
Photos Gloucester, Mass.:
Coffins Beach is a long, long stretch of wide open sandy seashore framed by dunes, sea and sky. Growing up, we called it the private side of Wingaersheek. I could hear piping plovers and saw two ‘in the zone’– the intertidal bit that is still wet at low tide and well under water at high tide. I didn’t see birds in the safe retreats by the upper part of the beach, but heard the melodious chirps that inspired their nickname.
Listen to the piping plover
Essex County Greenbelt protective measures in concert with MA Wildlifedog prints by the rope fencesaw 5 dogs on the beachFitz Hugh Lane, Coffins Beach, MFA
When I was down at the Little River Little Free Library opening the other day I couldn’t help take some shots of the river view. What a perfect spot to sit and read for a bit!
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We had such a nice sail on the Thomas E. Lannon last night for the 8th Annual Cigar and Rum Cruise. Much thanks to the crew of the Lannon, Ryan and Wood Distilleries, Paul Giacalone, and of course Joey, for making the night such a success.
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Every year it’s the same old story. I tell everyone ahead of time to order your tickets fast because it always sells out fast and then the day of I get 20 phone calls asking me how they can get on the boat. They get left out and the smart ones many returning Cigar and Rum Alumnus have gone on every single cruise because they book right away. Aaaand once again at the end of the night everyone is patting each other on the back saying “Jesus wasn’t that awesome?” “Best night of the summer.” “I look forward to this every year”
All I can say is that if you missed out on a sail on the most beaufiul boat in Gloucester, look for the date for Felicia’s wine and food cruise coming up soon (date TBD). Thanks Paul, Bobby, Heath, everyone that came out and the great crew on the Lannon.
Look for Nichole and Manny’s photos with lots of pictures of our Motley Crew in their respective posts.
Book a sail on the most beautiful boat in Gloucester Harbor, The Thomas E Lannon-
The number one threat to the Plover’s survival is the trash left on the beach. If you see someone littering, please remind them to clean up after themselves. Explain that we have a threatened species nesting on the beach and that the trash left behind attracts gulls and crows, which will undoubtedly eat the baby Plovers. Additionally, if you are so inclined and can lend a hand, please bring a trash bag and fill it on your way out. I know tons of friends already do this and it is a huge help. If more of us did it, and folks saw us doing it, they might be inspired not to leave theirs behind. If you see me on the beach filming, I now carry trash bags in my gear bag and would be happy to give you one. Getting rid of the trash on the beach doesn’t just help the Plovers, but all marine and wildlife.
ACTION NO. 2) HELP NEGATE THE THOUGHTLESS DOG OWNER PROBLEM
Inform the dog owner about the law. Explain to them that their dog, leashed or unleashed, can easily squish cotton-ball sized chicks. The babies are all over the beach now, not just in the roped off area. If the dog owner still disregards and if you can, take down their license plate number. I did it today for the first time and Diane, who is the animal control officer, just happened to be at the beach shortly after it happened. She asked for the information and studied the photo that I took to determine what type of dog.
ACTION NO. 3) HELP INFORM BEACH GOERS ABOUT THE CHICKS
The baby Plovers are at their most vulnerable in the first 10 to 14 days. As of this writing, all three chicks have survived the first three days, and that is nothing short of a miracle. The Plovers chicks are now running to the water’s edge. Please walk carefully on the beach and along the shoreline as they are not yet quick enough to get out of the way. Upload a photo of a Piping Plover chick to your phone and show it to folks on the beach. Explain that they aren’t much larger than a cotton ball. Additionally, David Rimmer, Director of Land Stewardship at Essex County Greenbelt, who was checking on the Plovers this morning, is concerned that a child may see a Plover chick and try to catch it. This has happened! In case of any kind of emergency situation such as this, David urges that the the Plover be place in the cordoned off area.
Thank you for you help, and the Piping Plovers thank you, too!
In the above photo you can see how tiny the Plover chick is in relation to the sunbather.
This woman claims she brings her dog every evening after five and states she has for fifteen years.
Please help get the word out that the Good Harbor Piping Plover chicks have hatched and that they are extremely vulnerable. Feel free to share these photos on social media.
Monday Day One: Judging from when the nest was first spotted, I had a feeling the Plovers were going to hatch Monday. The morning was drizzly and foggy and it was difficult to see into the nest but there appeared to be more activity than usual. By the time I returned later in the afternoon it was a wonder and joy to see all three Plovers had hatched!
Unlike songbirds, the Piping Plover chicks leave the nest almost immediately. They are not fed by the adults and begin to forage for insects in the sand soon after hatching. Although only hours old, they can run, and run they do, looking mostly like jet propelled cotton balls.
The chicks snuggle under Dad. Both Mom and Dad take turns guarding the nestlings, in thirty minute intervals, just as they did when on the nest waiting for the babies to hatch.
Dad (left) and Mom (right) changing guard.
Tuesday Day Two:
Miniature rockets zooming over miniature sand mounds, running so fast, they’ll often land in a face plant. I captured a somersault on film!
Been very curious about the DIVA store on Main Street. Decided to go in on Thursday and was overwhelmed how beautiful the store is set up. DIVA stands for Donna’s Infinite Variety of Adornments. The merchandise is fabulous and fun. They have fabulous antiques, vintage, estate and contemporary designer jewelry. When on Main Street go in to DIVA and meet the owner Donna Soodalter-Toman and Tracy and do some great shopping.
Good Morning Gloucester 