Good Morning Gloucester

The fourth annual Socks and Underwear drive will run for the month of October 2024, sponsored by the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. Donations of new socks, underwear, hats, gloves and mittens for women and men, girls and boys will benefit the clients of three local non-profits: Pathways for Children, Younity and The Grace Center. Two local businesses, Nelsons of Gloucester and The John Tarr Store of Rockport, will participate.

Pathways for Children serves Cape Ann families with children from preschool to adolescence. Younity supports young adults from ages sixteen to twenty five and The Grace Center is a day resource center for adults. All three are important safety net organizations for individuals and families on Cape Ann. The drive provides essential clothing items that can’t be purchased in a thrift store. This year, because the drive has moved from spring to fall, we have added hats, mittens and gloves to the collection and renamed it Socks and Underwear Plus.

Pathways needs children’s sizes from toddler to adult (teen) also in X sizes. Younity needs adult sizes and youthful styles from small to X-large and up, and The Grace Center asks for women’s and men’s sizes from medium to X-large and up.

Donation bins can be found at both stores, at the Church Street door of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, and at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport. Cash donations are appreciated and will be used to fill gaps in the items collected and allow for purchase of bras, which are not being collected this year. Checks and on-line purchases can be sent to the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, 10 Church Street, Gloucester, MA 01930. Write Socks and Underwear Plus on the subject line of checks. Credit card donations can be made at www.gloucesteruu.org. Please call or email the church office to explain the purpose of a credit card donation.

Pictured at Grace Center, Frank Freedman of Grace Center and members of GUUC, at Pathways, staff member and GUUC member, at Younity, staff members.

Reservation at Tock or visit our website www.sushisanglee.com

Hi Joey,

Over 1,500 folks have taken pottery lessons with Cynthia Curtis at her idyllic studio at 80 Pigeon Hill Street in Rockport since she opened it 25 years ago.

To celebrate, this noted pottery teacher is hosting a student show & sale on October 19-20, 10 am-4 pm, with more than 35 potters exhibiting their work. The public is invited to a reception with the artists on October 19, 4-6 pm; light refreshments will be served. 

If you are able to give blood, please consider this upcoming opportunity in Magnolia: ( from the CapeAnn MA Facebook page)

Down by the Riverside…

I stopped at Audrey’s Flower Shop on Railroad Ave for a thank you bouquet and it’s such a treat for the eyes every time you go in there, I just wanted to share some of the colors. AND the service is always stellar. Thank you Heather and crew! Brightened up my day!

September 26, 2024 ~ sam ~ 

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Hello! 

I am writing a poem about the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial, and I have located on the web an excerpt from some Gloucester 1879 newspaper that reports (on 12/24/1879) the loss of the schooner I’m writing about. I am trying to determine which newspaper originally published this excerpt. 

The website notes that its sources include Gloucester Telegraph, the Cape Ann Advertiser, and the Gloucester Daily Times, but it does not specify the particular source for each excerpt. It appears the Gloucester Telegraph ceased publication before 1879, and an initial look at Gloucester Times does not yield anything. 

I’m curious if you might have any ideas or leads?

This is the link to the excerpt: https://www.downtosea.com/1876-1900/harveyc.htm 

(I was a grad student living in Beverly in 2019-2020, and made weekend trips to Gloucester where I was inspired to start this poem. I’m a New England native (born/raised in New Haven CT; my parents now live on Cape Cod) but have transplanted to St. Louis MO. This poem (and others) keeps me close to my roots.)

Thank you!

Bryan Pannill

From https://www.youtube.com/@MCfilmworks:

“REEL WOMEN The Anti -“Real Housewives” with a Northeastern charm. Welcome to Gloucester, Massachusetts! It’s a historic fishing port town — America’s first — known for its beautiful beaches and dangerous fishing industry. Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm was based in Gloucester and the people here have grown to accept the perilous nature, and the occasional tragedy, that comes with the fishing on George’s Bank. But, the people of Gloucester love where they live, and rarely ever cross the bridge onto the mainland. They are a tight knit community that laughs and cries together. And their working class spirit and immigrant history make them part of the soul of America. REEL WOMEN is a docu-soap that tracks the lives of true-blue working class women who were born, raised, and will most likely die, in Gloucester. They are all first generation Americans — all daughters of fishermen — who grew up between the old-world Italian speaking customs of their Sicilian parents and the modern English speaking world outside their homes. They have unyielding loyalty to their families and work harder than any of their husbands. And when these ladies get together, they have enough energy to power all of New England. After a couple pitchers of sangria, and bowls of pasta, the decibel meter is off the charts! LILLIAN is the undisputed ringleader whose bright smile and infectious laugh lifts the sprits of everyone around her. SABRINA is her “other half” — keeping Lillian in stitches with her snarky remarks and quick wit. Then, there’s NINA self-professed control freak who loves to stir things up, and CHRISTIE who is always there with her “one-liners” that brings down the house. Josie (Martell) is the Phoebe of the group, with her head in the clouds and a good word for everyone.. And, lastly there are the Rossi Sisters — CINSIA and JOSIE — who love to shoot from the hip and call it like they see it. When together, it’s impossible to get a word in edgewise, but it never seems to stop any of them from trying. These ladies are deeply devoted to their family and friends, but they equally devoted to their work as well. With the Gloucester fishing industry enduring tough and austere times, it is now more important than ever for them to help support their families financially as well as emotionally. These REEL WOMEN are more than just that. They embody the working class spirit of their Sicilian parents and more than hold own in their own households. They face the tragedy of a fisherman not coming home from sea, the adversities of living paycheck to paycheck, and relish in the love and comfort of being surrounded by family. And these ladies do it all with a positive energy and smiles from ear to ear. REEL WOMEN, you’re invited come over for a glass of wine, some lasagna, and a lifetime of laughter!”

Red Door…