After attending the lobster trap tree lighting today, walk a few doors down to meet the artist Diane Ayott and see her new show at the Trident Gallery.
Matthew Swift, Trident gallery director writes,
Dear Friends,
This is a quick reminder that you are invited today Saturday, December 12th, 5-7pm, to a reception for artist Diane Ayott at Trident Gallery in celebration of her new exhibition Love in December.
A catalog with an artist’s statement, critical commentary, and biographical information is available at the gallery.
Those purchasing art from this exhibition may take possession immediately.
I look forward to seeing you soon, and I wish you and your families all the best of life during this holiday season,
Sincerely,
Matthew Swift
Director
Diane Ayott: Love in December
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Betty Ann St.Germain, a long time resident of Rockport, has published her debut novel entitled Sabbatical. It is the story of a middle aged college professor from Boston who must travel to Ireland to settle her mother’s estate and learns that things are much different than she ever expected. After discovering a letter that her mother wrote to her before her death, she is forced to reexamine everything as more shocking truths about her family and her home life are brought to light. Soon, a simple sabbatical paves the way for life-changing adventures and for the very first time in her life, experiences true mindfulness and joy.
St.Germain said she started the book 11 years ago while taking a writing course at Rockport High School. Her teacher encouraged and inspired her to write the book. St. Germain’s many trips to Ireland enriched her knowledge of the people, landscapes and culture which added greatly to the book’s development.
St.Germain spends her time writing in the seaside village of Rockport, Massachusetts. An Irish-American author, she is inspired by her family heritage- and the subtle and not-so-subtle messages passed down through generations. Sabbatical is her debut novel.
The author is scheduled to do a reading at Toad Hall Bookstore on Thursday, January 14 at 3pm.
Autographed copies of the book are available on her web site www.sabbaticalthenovel.com also at Toad Hall Books in Rockport or on-line at Amazon.com and it is also available in Kindle edition.
Next 8-week ALI 1 Session Starts Jan. 4th!
For more information, please call us at (978) 281-3558 x322.
SeniorCare now hosts free SHINE counseling sessions for Medicare members and prospective members. SHINE Counselors offer free, unbiased information about the many choices to be made when enrolling or re-enrolling in Medicare. Anyone interested in reserving a 45-minute session should contact 978-281-1750 (TTY 978-282-1836). All counseling sessions are held at SeniorCare’s offices at 49 Blackburn Center in Gloucester, MA.
SHINE, Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone, provides free health insurance information, counseling, and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers. SHINE is administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in coordination with local agencies.
SeniorCare, a Massachusetts Aging Services Access Point, with offices in Beverly and Gloucester, is a regional consumer-centered organization that provides and coordinates services to elders and others, enabling them to live independently at home or in a setting of their choice while remaining part of the community. SeniorCare can be reached at 978-281-1750 or 1-866-927-1050 (TTY 978-282-1836). SeniorCare is also a federally designated Area Agency on Aging, providing services such as Meals on Wheels and Community Dining Sites. SeniorCare’s service area includes: Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham.
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The annual Discover Gloucester holiday and awards party was held today at Latitude 43. A delightful luncheon was served followed by the award presentation. A stellar group of Gloucester can-do citizens was in attendance and it was a pleasure and honor to be amongst so many who have dedicated themselves to doing tremendous good for our community, especially where so much of their work is done behind the scenes and goes unsung. Thanks to Joey for suggesting that I cover the event for Good Morning Gloucester. He wished so much that he could be there to honor Kay, Bob, and the Mayor but it’s that time of year when work at the dock is nonstop.
A rising tide lifts all boats!
Mayor Sefatia Romeo Thekan was awarded the Discover Gloucester Heritage Award, which recognizes a person, business or organization that works towards ensuring that our maritime and cultural heritage remains current and relevant.
Bob Ryan, owner of Ryan and Wood Distilleries was awarded the Golden Sou’Wester Award, recognizing a person, business or organization that has jumped into tourism to add a new dimension to Gloucester’s diverse destination.
Kay Ellis, co-owner of the Schooner Thomas E. Lannon received the “Good On ‘Ya” Award, which recognizes a person or organization that has helped create a destination that is a wonderful place to visit and to live.
Christmas in Rockport this year has been Christmas-ier than I can ever remember it being in the 14 years I’ve been around (now you all know that I’m 14 years old, because of course I was born a Rockport native). You will get in the spirit in spite of yourself, even if the weather is so mild it’s more like June (which is always so freakin cold here) than December.
TOMORROW the Rockport Winter Farmers Market features fresh food from actual farmers who grow stuff and have been growing stuff specifically for this market and the Cape Ann Farmers Market (next Saturday 12/19 in Gloucester!). So don’t let the farmers down and come buy fresh, local food. The market will also feature baked goods, nisu bread, pickles, fruits, granola, nuts, and more more more. 9am to 1pm at the Rockport Community House at 58 Broadway.
A raffle to support the work of the nonprofit Rockport Exchange (organizers of the farmers’ market) will be part of the fun. A bag of Rockport Farmers Market swag will be raffled every hour on the hour (10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm) so buy a ticket for just $1 and have a swell time winning stuff, supporting the market, and most importantly, supporting local food producers.
Also: Spiran Lodge has the annual Jul Fest tomorrow! This is a fantastic Rockport tradition and a nod to the village’s heritage. Pickled herring can be yours, along with tons of other great food and crafts. 9 to 1pm at Spiran Lodge on Broadway. And Rockport’s annual Gallery Stroll is tomorrow, with Rockport artists welcoming visitors to town.
AND the entire Charlie Brown Christmas album will be featured at the Old Sloop Coffeehouse Saturday night! This is just too much…. come for the Rockport Winter Farmers Market and stay for the day, ending the evening listening to live music, sipping coffee at the Old Sloop Coffeehouse at the beautiful First Congregational Church on Main Street in Rockport.
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ADVENT EXHIBIT – DECEMBER, 2015 First Congregational Church of Rockport – UCC 12 School Street. Rockport, MA.
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-Icons of the Civil Rights Movement-
This inspiring exhibit is both a visual and a written history of the Civil Rights Movement, remembering and honoring the many who sacrificed their lives for freedom and equality. This exhibit features a series of paintings created by Pamela Chatterton-Purdy using handmade paper, oil paints, and found objects. Each of the thirty-five icons is accompanied by a historical description written by the Reverend Doctor David Purdy, her husband. The use of the iconic form represents the sacred nature of the Movement’s nonviolent philosophy. Setting this exhibit for sanctuary display during the Season of Advent invites association between the birth of Baby Jesus and his life showing a way of light, truth, sacrifice, and justice for all the world. This exhibit also stands in the spirit of the national United Church of Christ initiative since 2008, to hold sacred conversations on matters of race – locally, nationally, and globally.
In Eastern Christian tradition, icons are religious paintings on wood panels depicting scenes from the Bible.They are often set in a golden background or covered with silver. The style is idealized, suggesting the sacred nature of the subject. Icons are venerated for their theological teachings of the church. Chatterton-Purdy was inspired by icons to create a body of work representing people committed to social justice.
Some of the subjects are well known, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Emmett Till, Rosa Parks,
Jonathan Daniels, and Rev. James Reeb.The exhibit celebrates all of their lives and their common mission. To create the icons, Chatterton-Purdy used wooden objects, pieces of broken frames, hinged doors, broken stained glass, and wooden birds taken from an old carved jewelry box in pieces.There are yardsticks cut at number 14, the age that Emmett Till’s life was taken. There are pieces of a children’s chess set used to imply the handles of a Torah. Alphabet beads are strung together to spell The Children’s Campaign, Birmingham Alabama, over 1,000 children jailed. Broken metal chains and locks – signs of freedom and release – and verses from Scripture are also used. Each icon was designed to highlight the uniqueness of each person or event.
Pamela Chatterton-Purdy earned a master of fine arts degree from the University of Massachusetts.Her husband, the Reverend Doctor David Purdy is a retired Methodist minister.
They live in Harwich Port, Massachusetts, on the other Cape!
-OPEN SANCTUARY- and special events for viewing the exhibit: Icons of the Civil Rights Movement
Saturday, December 5.8:00AM – 2:00PM
Old Sloop Christmas Bazaar. An annual event at which parishioners, townspeople, and visitors gather for fun and fellowship for fun and fellowship for the benefit of the church.
Sunday, December 6. Noon – 3:00PM. Open Sanctuary Exhibit.
Sunday, December 13. 1:00PM – 3:00PM. Special Presentation.
Special Presentation: Icons of the Civil Rights Movement.
A light luncheon and presentation by artist Pamela Chatterton-Purdy with her husband, writer Reverend Doctor David Purdy will be offered. The Civil Rights Movement was a turning point in American history. Those who demonstrated for civil rights during the 1950s and 1960s were ordinary people who risked physical harm, imprisonment and death for the sake of equal rights.
You are invited to view the exhibit and hear from these two artists about this exhibit which they have created!Call the church office at 978-546-6638 to r.s.v.p.
Saturday, December 19. 5:00PM – 8:00PM. Open Sanctuary Exhibit.
In the spirit of the holidays, the Rockport Pageant Committee is once again hosting this year’s 70th Annual Christmas Nativity Pageant, in partnership with the Rockport Division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. The Pageant is a torch-lit live re-enactment of the Nativity, starting at 5PM along Dock Square and Main Street. Along the way, the story of Jesus’ birth is brought to life through alive narration and Christmas hymns sung by a full choir. Enjoy dinner afterward at the First Congregational Church of Rockport – UCC, where the men of the Old Sloop serve their Christmas Pageant Ham & Bean Supper.
Thursday, December 24. 5:00PM – 8:00PM. Open Sanctuary Exhibit.
Christmas Eve services will be held at the First Congregational Church of Rockport – UCC at 4 & 8PM. Open Sanctuary will be hosted from 5 – 8PM, between the two services, for those who would like to view the Icons of this Civil Rights Movement exhibit.
Sunday, December 27. Noon – 3:00PM. Open Sanctuary Exhibit.
Thursday, December 31. 6:00P – Midnight. Open Sanctuary Exhibit.
First Night. Celebrating New Year’s Eve with family, friends, and neighbors, with continuous entertainment in Rockport. The Old Sloop Church Sanctuary will be hosting several First Night performances/events, with opportunity to view this exhibit, Icons of the Civil Rights Movement.
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Call the church office at 1-978-546-6638 for more information or to request additional times for group viewing events.
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Come on in to Minglewood Tavern this Friday night to support local families and local music! Bring a toy or donate a $5 door charge, proceeds to Action Inc, Gloucester, MA. Charting # 5 on the top 100 Reggae albums on iTunes and #8 on The Billboards, SRP’s first two albums have grown the band quite the reputation as amazing writers, rooted in Rock Reggae Jam. SRP has also been noted to have something that not all bands can master, the art of putting on high energy, dance your face off shows, with a one love mentality…that simply radiates throughout the crowd. SRP is a top-professional band hailing from Boston MA, with their unique Pulsating Drum and Bass rhythms and heavily decorated melodies, played by some of the top musicians in all of New England. (A cross between Collie Buddz, Rebelution and Matisyahu ~Rich Parara, Ingenious Concepts). Check them out here!
Hi Joe Our dunk this year will be at 11:00 am at Stevens Way. Once again, we are doing a food drive for The Open Door and challenge all to bring non-perishables .. Also, cash or checks made out to The Open Door !! Location: Rocky Neck. Stevens Way Time : 11:00 AM Thanks Joe for always supporting this yearly tradition!!!! Cathy McCarthy
How is this for Holiday kindness! JM Walsh Oil Company is helping to make the winter more bearable and easier for 5 struggling families. Such a great act of generosity.
We are giving away 100 gallons of heating oil to 6 struggling families this winter. Nominate a family in writing by December 31st!
Please include your name and phone number. Serving families in Gloucester, Rockport, Mancester, and Essex. Selected families will be kept confidential and will be notified in writing with a letter and gift certificate after January 4, 2016.
Send nominations to 6 Cleveland Place, Gloucester or email to jmwalshoil@msn.com
If this act inspires you….and you are fortunate enough to be able to do so…feel free to donate funds to help sponsor even more families!
Great job, JM Walsh Oil! Please check out their website below
Good Morning Gloucester 