Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Posted on by paultmorrison

Joey’s posts convinced RD she had to check out her relatives.
rdee1

Cuz!
Cuz!

The chickadees are a riot. Even a nuthatch came down to talk to the rubber one.

Ardelle Launch Photos

Posted on by God's Morning

Photos by Len Burgess of the launch of the Ardelle Saturday.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.561469927230863.1073741839.174653662579160&type=1

Exhibit Opportunities for Artists on Rocky Neck

Posted on by God's Morning

There are two Galleries (plus the sliver space) still available for Rent on Rocky Neck Avenue for this coming season (May 15-October 15).  Madfish Wharf is a great place for artists – cooperative, supportive, fun and good traffic.  Contact Niki at 617-543-2977 for more details on individual gallery rentals.  She most readily responds to text messages.  #6 has been rented, so #’s 15 & 7, plus the sliver gallery on the walkway from the parking lot to Madfish Grille are available.   Join us for a great season on Madfish Wharf.

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Cape Ann Milkweed Project

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Monarch Butterfly Monarch Butterfly Emerging from Chryslais ©Kim Smith 2011

Monarch Butterfly Emerging from Chrysalis

Order Your Milkweed Plants Today!

In March I shared an article about bringing back the Monarch Butterflies. Great interest in planting milkweed was expressed by many. The way to bring as many Monarchs as possible to our region is to help recreate the butterfly’s habitat in our own gardens. The number one way to do this is by planting native wildflowers, milkweed for the summer caterpillars, and asters and goldenrod for the fall migrants. Number two is to make a commitment not to use pesticides, which will indiscriminately kill all the creatures that your milkweed plants invite to your garden.

Monarch Butterfly Eggs Common Milkweed ©Kim Smith

Monarch Eggs on Common Milkweed ~ see the tiny yellow pinhead-sized dots on the top of the upper leaves of the milkweed plants (click to view larger)

Milkweed is the only food plant of the Monarch caterpillar and the flower is a fantastic source of nectar for myriad species of bees and butterflies.

So many GMG readers wrote in requesting milkweed plants that Joey has very generously offered his place of business—Captain Joe and Sons—as our go-to-place for picking up plants!! It’s going to be a super fun morning–stop by with your coffee, visit, learn about milkweed and Monarchs, and pick up your order.

Please place your order today or tomorrow. I am not pre-collecting the money and am fronting the funds to purchase plants. I don’t want to have dozens of homeless plants, so I am asking everyone to please be on the honor system.

We are ordering two types of milkweed. The cost is 7.00 per plant, which will come in a 3.5 inch square pot. The plants are on the smallish side however, that is the ideal size for shipping and transplanting milkweed. I am writing instructions for planting and they will be provided at the time of purchase.

Monarch Caterpillars Common Milkweed ©Kim Smith 2011

Monarch Caterpillars J-Shape on Common Milkweed Getting Ready to Turn into a Chrysalis

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the milkweed we see most typically growing in our dunes, meadows, roadsides, and fields. It grows quickly and spreads vigorously by underground runners. This is a great plant if you have an area of your garden that you want to devote entirely to milkweed. It prefers full sun, will tolerate some shade, and will grow in nearly any type of soil. The flowers are dusty mauve pink and have a wonderful honey-hay sweet scent.

Marsh Milkweed (Aclepias incarnata) is more commonly found in marshy areas, but it grows beautifully in gardens. It does not care for dry conditions. These plants are very well-behaved and are more clump forming, rather than spreading by underground roots. The flowers are typically a brighter pink than Common Milkweed.

Monarch Butterfly Emerging from Chryslais ©Kim Smith 2011.JPG

Monarchs deposit their eggs readily on both types of milkweed and in my garden I grow Common Milweed and Marsh Milkweed side-by-side.

The cost of the plants includes shipping from Missouri. Hopefully everyone will be good and if they place an order, will honor their commitment. If there is any money beyond what was spent on plants and shipping we will donate it to the ongoing fundraising drive for the Rocky Neck Cultural Center purchase of the beautiful center on Wonson Street.

Plant pick-up is at Captain Joe and Sons, 95 East Main Street, Gloucester, on Saturday, May 18th from 9:00am to 12noon. If you cannot pick up your plants at that time, please ask a friend.

My order to the nursery is being placed on Tuesday night, so please get your orders in asap. Place Your Milkweed Order in the comment section of this post. Be sure to indicate which type of milkweed, Common or Marsh, and number of plants.

Our deepest thanks to everyone who is participating. 

Monarch Butterfiles Female left Male right Milkweed ©Kim Smith 2012

Female and Male Monarch Butterfly on Marsh Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Rain date pick up: Sunday, May 19th from 9am to 12noon.

Cape Ann Artisans April Demonstration Day

Posted on by Matthew Green

Yesterday, the Cape Ann Museum was the venue for various artists to demonstrate and explain their artistic skills. Here is a slideshow of some of their demonstrations:

 

Get Your Stretch On- Physical Therapy Tip of The Month From Harmeling PT

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Time to Get Moving

Unless they are avid skiers or snowboarders, most New Englanders tend to go into hibernation mode during the cold winter months. This generally means eating more and exercising less, both of which lead to unwanted weight gain.

Spring is sneaking up on us quickly. Before you know it, the days will be longer and the weather much warmer. As the ice thaws and snow melts, you may feel the urge to lace up your sneakers and get outside more often. One great way to shed winter weight is by consistently walking or jogging.

While regular cardiovascular exercise has many benefits, a sudden increase in activity level puts your body at risk for injuries. One way to prevent injury is by stretching the major muscle groups in your legs before and after activity. Doing the following stretches consistently will allow you to stay active, remain injury-free, and enjoy the beautiful weather that will be upon us in the upcoming months. Here are a few of our favorite stretches that you may want to try.

Calf stretch

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Quad stretch

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Hamstring stretch

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Hip flexor Stretch

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Try holding each stretch approximately 20 seconds, for 3-4 repetitions on each leg. Maintain each position, without bouncing, until you feel a moderate but comfortable pulling in your muscles. If you have any previous medical issues that may prevent you from doing these exercises, consult your physician prior to beginning.

One other thing to consider as you get more active is trying to exercise within your target heart rate. Doing so will maximize the health benefits that you will receive through exercise.

Heart rate is measured in beats per minute (bpm). One way to monitor your heart rate is using the old-fashioned manual method by which you take your pulse rate by feeling the artery in your wrist. There are also different heart rate monitors that you can purchase. These can make it easier to ensure that you are staying within your target heart rate.

To determine your individual target heart rate for exercise, use the following formula:

1. Subtract your age from 220. Then, multiply by 50%.

(220 – your age) x 0.50

2. Subtract your age from 220. Then, multiply by 85%.

(220 – your age) x 0.85

Your target heart rate should remain between these two numbers.

For instance, if you are 40 years old

1. 220 – 40 = 180

180 x 0.50 = 90 bpm

2. 220 – 40 = 180

180 x 0.85 = 153 bpm

Your target heart rate for exercise should stay between 90 and 153 beats per minute.

Once again, always consult your physician if you have any previous medical history that may limit your ability to exercise at this level.

Questions? Email us at info@harmelingpt.com

Harmeling Physical Therapy is located at 8 Blackburn Center in Gloucester.

Phone # (978)-283-0888

Check out our website at www.harmelingpt.com

Community Stuff 4/28/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 

Judith Ring and Karen Aase (teachers from Wisdom’s Heart Center) are going to be offering meditation for beginners on
Fridays from 5:30 – 7:00 PM May 10th to June 14th.

Free Health Resources & Family Fun at Safe Boating Day

United States Coast Guard Station Gloucester will hold its annual Safe Boating Day Event on Saturday, May 18th, to kick-off National Safe Boating Week, which is May 18-25. The event is to promote boating safety and awareness. Gates will open at 9:00 am and close at 1:30 p.m.

Free health information and resources will be offered by: Healthy Gloucester Collaborative, Addison Gilbert Hospital, PACE and several other agencies. For information on Health services contact Kathy Day at Healthy Gloucester Collaborative / Gloucester Health Department 978-281-0924.

This is a family friendly event and includes many activities for children including: boat tours, life jacket fitting, coloring, and face painting. Kids can say hello to Rocky, the inflatable right whale calf; Lucy, the leatherback sea turtle model, and a life-sized Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon models. Kids learn how to safely enjoy watching endangered species in their natural environment.

This free event is a great place for boaters to learn more about equipment and procedures that can keep them and their passengers safe on the water.  There will be recreation booths and tours all day. Island Class Patrol Boat, will be available during the day’s events. For more information please contact Rick Bowen at 978-283-0705, ext. 204.

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Hi Joey,

I hope this beautiful day finds you well!

I have some news from Apple Street Farms (ASF) that I thought you would be interested in.

First and foremost, Chef Frank McClelland is thrilled to announce Phoebe Poole as his new Farm Manager of ASF. Poole is a New England native and discovered her passion for farming while studying biology at Wellesley College when she worked on a local farm every weekend. Since then, Poole has worked on farms of various sizes at locations across the country learning how to grow vegetables, raise livestock, manage CSA’s and operating farmer’s markets.

Now that the growing season is upon us, Phoebe is very excited about the 3rd annual Seedling Sale and Family Farm Day at ASF over Memorial Day Weekend. Apple Street Farm provides over 90% of the produce for L’Espalier and Sel de la Terre and is utilized by many other Boston restaurants (many of whom are L’Espalier and Sel de la Terre alumni), and now fans and friends of the restaurant can visit the farm to grow their own produce. More information on the Seedling Sale is included in the advisory below.

Additionally, Apple Street still has availability and openings for their produce and poultry CSA’s. Produce CSA’s are $500 for the 20-week season and are picked up once per week on Thursdays. They expect the first pick to be early to  mid June and the season will run through Octover. Vegetables include: lettuce, salad greens, kale, swiss chard, bok choy, cabbages, onions, beets, carrots, radishes, turnips, rutabaga, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, squash, peas, beans and more. Poultry CSA’s are $450 for the 20-week season which includes a whole chicken each week, or a half share that is $225 and includes a half chicken every other week. Poultry shares are picked up on Fridays and ASF birds are raised in a radically different manor from any bird that can  be found in a grocery store.

More info- http://www.applestreetfarm.com/

Pictures: Boat Explodes In Rockport Harbor

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Joey,
I shot these from my porch on Atlantic Avenue in Rockport, the Halyard Guest House
Ryan Drohans lobster boat caught fire, George Pollison backman…both escaped without injury. About 430pm Saturday

Jon Cunningham

http://www.goodmorninggloucester.com Do you get it?

GloucesterCast Taped 4/27/2013 with Host Joey Ciaramitaro an Guest Bill O’Connor

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

GloucesterCast Taped 4/27/2013 with Host Joey Ciaramitaro an Guest Bill O’Connor

Click to listen- With Host Joey C and Guest Bill O'Connor

GloucesterCast Taped 4/27/2013 with Host Joey Ciaramitaro an Guest Bill O’Connor

Topics Include: North Shore Kid, Schooner Ardelle,Maritime Gloucester, Cape Ann Museum, Flynn Beach or Oakes Cove Beach, Local Gas Prices, Market Basket vs Shaws and Stop and Shop, Seaport Grille, Appleton Farm CSA, Composting,

The Noble Kids Represent! In Costa Rica

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hey Joey! Having the adventure of a lifetime in Costa Rica! Tried to represent from the zip lines, the horses, the quads, the waterfalls, the mountains, the islands, the jungle, and with the monkeys to no avail!
Finally got to the chocolate sand beach near Jaco, Costa Rica and are mellowed enough to send the pic.
Great country. Great People. See you soon, Steve, Dee, Lainie, Skye, and Zak. And our new friend Sole’…..

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Mike Murray Not Happy With Vandalism In Gloucester Cemeteries

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Gloucester is great but it could be better.  It needs to openly address its faults but that isn’t the culture there from what I can see.

So much history has been lost in Gloucester cemeteries due to vandalism and neglect of cemeteries, in Public but more so Private.

Decades of vandalism in Oak Grove Cemetery is well documented in the Sawyer Free Library in case you weren’t aware.  Your Mayor knows how I feel as does your Police chief but it keeps getting worse.  As a successful Blog owner you have more power and influence then you realize over a communities behavior.  Possibly more than your Mayor or Police Chief because you reach more people daily then they do. 

So much more economy could be had for Gloucester if cemetery monuments had been preserved or cared for better. 

It really saddens me to see all the new vandalism done to headstones in Oak Hill Cemetery.  Those people won’t be back to spend the day in Gloucester an eat in a restaurant of stay at an Inn.  Why come back after ones loved one’s headstone has been damaged and/or removed because of said needless damage?  It leaves a bad taste and a false snap shot of your town. 

Personally, I’ve already repaired one of the only ancestors headstones I could find as I found it in three pieces. 

It is from 1862 and it can still be easily read except for the cement holding it together.  I have three there that can be found and 14 others completely MIA !  It hurts!

Joey, If you choose you could be the voice of reason Gloucester so desperately needs to change this accepted behavior.   I’m asking that you photograph or videotape some of what I am describing to you. Take a ride through Oak Hill Cemetery and see the headstone conditions near and on the back hill section .   Look at the side and back edges. Especially on the back road where headstones are literally swallowed up and engulfed by eight ft or more of Brambles.  You have to look close but they are there hiding underneath.

Write about it !  Get local volunteers that I know would come out in support showing Gloucester’s great spirit. A group effort could easily cut and tame those brambles.  Let People know the dead are respected in Gloucester.  Get people to show some pride and say this isn’t right and It can’t go on any longer in my town.  The Catholic Cemetery assocation is the official caretaker but all I get is shrugged shoulders from the superintendent.

Joey , Please go visit Oak Hill on Poplar St and if you aren’t disgusted about the conditions there you can deny my request to write about it with a free conscience.

With Respect and blunt truthfulness

Mike

"Show me the manner in which a nation or a community cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender sympathies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land and their loyalty to high ideals."

Gladstone.