Good Morning Gloucester

I’m guilty of having terrible posture often but have been trying to remind myself to stand up straight. I guess it’s a sign of getting old. When we are young and invincible you don’t think about this stuff but as we get older everything we can do to help our joints and muscles counts.

“Art, Rocks!” The Fort Playground
08/10/2015 4:35pm

Just a few shots taken during a recent walk around Goose Cove Reservoir with an old and new friend – my first time there.  A lovely walk.

E.J. Lefavour

If you haven’t been in to YUPO Gallery recently, don’t miss this opportunity to see Regina Piantedosi’s new encaustic work, which is so inspiring.  She never ceases to amaze me with the new work she has done every time I stop in to visit.

E.J. Lefavour

Boilerplate GMG Political Statement:

Good Morning Gloucester Does Not Endorse Candidates and this press release should not be indicative of a an endorsement or non endorsement of any candidates.  We do not back politicians but do post candidacy announcements.

Scott Memhard submits this press release announcing his candidacy-

Thank you for your consideration, and please VOTE!

You know what I don’t get about this crash?
It was as if the bike guy never let up at all and was asleep at the wheel or something. Like if he didn’t smash into that car he was heading into the woods for sure, no?

31st Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival

Labor Day Weekend– September 4-6, 2015

A couple of weeks ago we took a fantastic day trip to Peaks Island, Maine.

Such a great day!

We left home at about 7:15, made a pit stop in Danvers to meet up with my sister and nephew, and then drove on to Portland, Maine.  A quick, easy drive.  We arrived there in plenty of time to find a parking spot in one of the easily accessible and inexpensive lots, and take a quick walk to the 10:15 ferry.

The ferry ride to the island took about 20 minutes and was lovely.  At less than $8 for adults and under $4 for kids….it also didn’t hurt the wallet much.

The second we arrived I was smitten.  Totally charming, low key, welcoming, and picturesque.

We began our day by grabbing a bagel and coffee at Peaks Cafe before heading right next door to pick up our golf cart rental at Mike’s Carts. We called ahead to reserve our cart and paid just $50 for a three-hour rental. My sister and I sat upfront and took turns driving around the island while the three boys sat rear facing on the back seat.  They were stoked and thought it was totally cool to get to sit like that and it was a fantastic way to see the island.  We stopped at three little beachy areas to swim, collect shells and sea glass, and build rock sculptures…which is evidently something that you do when visiting Peaks Island.

After having toured the island by golf cart until satisfied, we returned it and walked right across the street to pick up our kayak rentals.  It was kind of a snotty day on the water and the boys are only 6, 7, and 8 years old…so we kayaked pretty close to the shore for only 30 minutes.  Because of the water conditions, the gentleman in charge of kayak rentals was willing to let us rent for less than the hourly rate so we paid $40 for three kayaks for 1/2 an hour.  A great deal.  We rented from the Peaks Island House.

Having worked up an appetite and a thirst, we walked across the street in a different direction (getting the idea of how close and easy everything is!?) and had a phenomenal little lunch and a delicious blueberry cocktail (because we were in Maine after all) outside at the Inn on Peaks Island.  While eating lunch I checked out the prices to book a hotel reservation for the evening and it was totally reasonable.  I should note that the 20 minute ferry ride for a mere $8 makes it worth while to stay on the island if you are visiting Portland because, for the most part, reserving a room in Portland was significantly more expensive.  Just a thought.

After lunch, we walked a bit, went into two super cute little shops, and the boys got ice cream.  We hopped on an afternoon ferry, grabbed an ice coffee for the ride home, found our car, stopped again in Danvers, and were still home by 6:30 in the evening.

A day trip that is fun, full of outdoor activity, and inexpensive!

Read more about the island HERE

Check out the ferry schedule HERE

The guys who renovated the Lane’s Cove Fish Shack have organized themselves as an official non-profit in order to raise funds to maintain the Fish Shack.  Their first fundraiser is August 15th.  Les Barlett will give a talk about the Shack.  There will be a free lunch for everyone.  The mayor will begin the Live Auction, in which there will be some beautiful paintings by local artists Jeff Weaver, Ken Knowles, and Liza Calkins, along with a lot of other great local stuff, like field box Red Sox tickets. There will be live music throughout the day.  The whole thing begins at noon. 

Tour Sargent Gallery at the Sargent House Museum

Those of you who have attended the Museum of Fine Arts’ exhibit Searching for Sargent, which celebrates the recent gift of John Singer Sargent’s archives to the MFA, may also want to tour the Sargent Gallery at Gloucester’s own Sargent House Museum at 49 Middle Street for a brief tour of Sargent’s art and memorabilia before the Museum closes for the season on September 6, 2015. The Sargent House Museum is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 pm with tours on the hour. The Sargent Gallery tour is available to members free and non-members $6. A full tour of the Sargent House Museum is also available to members free and to non-members $12.  The image below is an example of John Singer Sargent’s art included in the Sargent Gallery tour.

Fitz William Sargent (1826-1889) painted by his son, John Singer Sargent