Thomas Laighton Rocky Neck Marine Railway

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Every time I go over to the Marine Railway there is always something new.  Below is a link with information about this boat.

http://www.islesofshoals.com/about-us/boat.html

March 15, 2013 Thomas Laighton in the Marine Railway

Cellar Holes

Posted on by God's Morning

cellar hole 22 copy

Apparently there are 40-45 cellar holes from the Commons Settlement, now known as Dogtown.  This is the Full Cellar Holes Registry From the City of Gloucester website http://gloucester-ma.gov/index.aspx?NID=715

Cellar Holes Full Registry

  1. Nathaniel Day
  2. Becky Rich
  3. Nolly Millett
  4. Emmons Family
  5. Mussey
  6. Smith
  7. Ben Stanwood
  8. Jeremiah Millett
  9. Clark Family
  10. Arthur Wharf
  11. Phillip Priestly
  12. William Wilson
  13. Joseph Winslow
  14. Hannah Stevens
  15. Easter Carter
  16.  James Dermerit
  17.  Dorcas Foster
  18.  Isaac Dade
  19. Joseph Ingersoll
  20. Widow Day
  21. Stephen Robinson
  22. Joseph Riggs
  23. Col. Pearce
  24. Abram Wharf
  25.  Peter Lurvey
  26. Stanwood house
  27. The Castle
  28.  Bennett Farm
  29. Hilton Place
  30. Joseph Hunter/cobbler
  31. Jim White
  32.  Ann Davis
  33. Esther Wharf
  34.  Unknow
  35. James Wharf
  36. Whipple Family
  37. Wither family
  38. White family
  39. Ben Allen
  40. Unknown

T.     Liz Tucker
R.    Judy Rhines
W.  James Wharf, Jr.
S.     Nehemiah Stanwood
X.     Unknown
Notable People

1.       Anthony Day married Mary Davis and the two had seventeen children. One son, Isaac, was a gunner on the USS constitution. All children also bore many offspring.

2.       Becky Rich was a woman who told fortunes from coffee grinds. She was a nice old lady, and mainly made her business in young people. She would tell teenagers who they were or weren’t to marry, among other relationship-related business.

14.     Hannah Stevens’ father was Joseph Stevens. Joseph Stevens owned a large amount of land, and in spite of his wealth was still a nice person.

15.     Easter Carter was very well known around Gloucester. She could often be found dressed as a man, under the pseudonym John Woodman. With this persona, Carter did a lot of outdoor work, primarily in building stone walls.

17.     Dorcas Foster was seen as a very brave girl, as she was independent at a young age. Her father was not around very much. She married three times. Her last marriage was to Captain Joseph Smith, who commanded a brigantine in the War of 1812.

18.     Isaac Dade led a very eventful life. After serving aboard an English man-of-war during the Revolutionary War, Dade became impressed by the area and deserted the British Army. He sailed to Virginia on a cargo ship and joined the Continental Army. He rowed across the Delaware River with George Washington. After fighting in many major battles, he became badly wounded and later left the Army to marry Fanny Brundel. Dade was well acquainted with the George Washington family. With his health deteriorating, he resolved to move back to Gloucester. It was here in Dogtown that he built a house, now known by its cellar hole, Cellar Hole 18.

19.     Molly Jacobs was a friend of Judy Rhines and Liz Tucker. These three are known for bringing infamy to Dogtown in later years, as it began to be viewed as the “red light district” of Gloucester.

22.     Joseph Riggs’s father was Sam Riggs. Sam Riggs owned a sizeable amount of land, and was town clerk and schoolmaster in 1661.

23.     Pearce’s large sheep flock attracted the attention of British raiders during the War of 1812.

24.     Abram Wharf was a very successful sheep farmer. In 1814, all his children had left him. This prompted him to crawl under a large boulder and ultimately commit suicide. This came as a shock to many people, as he was very smart and had many friends.

25.     Peter Lurvey was married to a sister of Abram Wharf. He is well known for his leadership during Captain Lindsay’s attack on Gloucester. Lindsay planned to attack the Commons and take the sheep for food. The skirmish resulted in a few cannonballs causing damage in Gloucester. The militia lured the Falcon to a cargo ship which looked deceptively loaded. When in range, the men fired on the Falcon, driving it out of the harbor. Before it left, it killed two men, one being Lurvey. He was the first Dogtown man to be killed in war.

27.     The builder of the structure known as the Castle is unknown. Becky Rich’s daughter Rachel Smith is believed to have lived there. Aunt Rachel, as Rachel Smith was known, was famous for brewing herbs and making medicines

Random Tidbits:

In 1814, 6 of the original 80 houses remained in Dogtown. The last resident left in 1830, and all were gone by 1845.

Judy Rhines and Tammy Younger are known as the “witches of Dogtown” for their power to control people and manipulate situations in their favor. While this may have led them to achieve the title of “witch,” these characteristics are also apparent in many politicians.

The sheep of the commons were subject to stealing. During the War of 1812, British sailors would see them as prizes of war and steal them from their owners in Dogtown.

I’d be curious to know if anyone has found them all, or how many people have been able to find.  I have only found a few of them – the boulders are much easier to find than the cellar holes.

E.J. Lefavour

Wednesday, March 20 at 7:02AM Vernal Equinox

Posted on by paultmorrison

Spring will arrive at 7:02 AM on Wednesday morning shortly after sunrise at 6:45 AM. Start practicing standing raw eggs on their end. Rubber Duck is a master.

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It won’t be long until we dip our duck feet in the water.

duckfeetRight now it is a bit too soon. The A01 buoy off Gloucester Harbor is recording 40 F from the surface detector all the way down to 50 meters. in the next month or so that 50 meter detector will still be at 40 F but the surface will creep up to 50F and beyond. 50 F is where I draw the line for flipping my kayak. Arms and legs still function for an hour at 50 F but colder than that and paddle is just too hard to grasp. So when the air temp gets really mild make sure your personal flotation device is up to snuff and stick close to shore. Better yet, wait a few more weeks until that A01 buoy reads 50F.

ps. Seasonal Openings 2013 Part I will be posted on the first day of spring. Our first seasonal opening is March 31st. Can you guess?

Bikini Speedo Dodgeball Party Time

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Congratulations to Champions Blinded by the White, Bikini Speedo Dodgeball Winners, second year in a row!

With an extended Harlem Shake at 4 minutes.

Good Morning Gloucester/Farm Bar and Grille Bikini Speedo Dodgeball 2013 to Benefit Next Step

Ed Collard’s House Doctors Blinded by the White Team Members: Jon Vizena, Matt Sawyer, Austin Souza, Shannon McCarthy, and Erica Mitchell

We’re Loco for Willie over the next 2 weeks with 50 Years of Rock n Roll History

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Willie "Loco" Alexander at his 70th Birthday Bash
Photo by: Anne Rearick.

You may know that award-winning local filmmaker Henry Ferrini shot Willie “Loco” Alexander’s 70th birthday bash at Somerville’s Davis Square Theater back in January.  Well now he’s edited all that footage down to a one-hour show that will air on Cape Ann TV next week on Tuesday, March 26 at 9pm and Friday, March 30 at 9pm.  And, at Henry’s request, after his special, Cape Ann TV will air the Local Music Seen with Allen Estes show with Willie as guest.  Needless to say Allen, Vickie and I we are honored at Vincent’s request.  To get you psyched for the next week’s special Ferrini cablecast, we’re airing Willie’s Local Music Seen show this week Wednesday at 6:30pm, Friday at 1:30pm and Sunday at 6pm.

Willie "Loco" Alexander at his 70th Birthday Bash
photo Paul Cary Goldberg

Check out Henry’s official press release, below, with details on all the famous people who attended from Governor Patrick to Peter Wolf to locals Dave Sag, the Razdan’s and John Hardy (of Alexandra’s bread).

50 Years of Rock and Roll History
On January 12, 2013 at the Davis Square Theater in Somerville,  Gloucester resident, Willie “Loco” Alexander celebrated his 70th birthday.  Unbeknownst to the “god-father of punk,”  his wife Ann Rearick had put together a small army of musicians to help Willie celebrate his special day.  The theater was filled with 17 to 70 year old rockers from Cape Ann to London all pumped  to get on stage and perform from Willie’s prolific song book.  Writers Ted Widmer,  Amanda Cook and Jim Dunn provided some personal history of the School Street resident. Even Governor Patrick  chimed in with a birthday greeting.
Bands and players included:  Dave Saginario, Roger Miller, The Boom Boom Band, The Bags (with Jon Hardy on Bass and vocals), Birdsongs of the Mesozoic with Boby Bear, Peter Wolf, Roger Miller, Andrea Gillis, the Nervous Eaters, Mike Tucker, Mission of Burma, Barrence Whitfield, Persistence of Memory Orchestra,  w/ Ken Field and Marc Chenevert,  Manzie, Dennis Brennen, Randy Black, Ed “Moose” Savage,  Frank Rowe,  John Roy, and Jon Macie,  Reddy Teddy, The Darlings,  The A-Train Orchestra with Alek and Rikki Razdan,  David “Doc” Vincent , Dan Whalen and Ken Demaine, John Powhida and David Minahan & the neighborhoods.
The extravaganza was produced, shot and edited  by Henry Ferrini as a part of the Gloucester Writers Center video archive. Ferrini  said,  “This is the kind of event that usually happens when you’re dead, Willie deserves it while he’s still kicking.  Didn’t I hear he was going to be Gloucester’s next poet Laureate.”
The hour long show will be cablecast on Cape Ann TV.

Open Chef’s Table – Sunday, March 24 At Savour

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Open Chef’s Table – Sunday, March 24

(The last table sold out within 24 hours)!

Dear Joey,

Please join us for Beach Gourmet’s

Open Chef’s Table

(You can sign up for one place or all 12)

MENU

Hors d’oeuvres

Cheddar and Gruyere Shortbread
Sausage Stuffed Mushroom Cap

(Tasting at Wine Machines)

Wine: Marc Hebrart Premier Cru

Blanc de Blanc Champagne
Starter
New England Crab Cake with Spring Greens Julienne Vegetables and House Dressing

Wine: Hirsch Heligenstein Gruner Veltliner

Kammern/ Kamptal
Entrée
Grilled Lamb Chop with Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Pan-Fried Red Bliss Potato and Jus

Wine: Prado Enea Gran Reserva

2005 Muga Rioja

Dessert

Grand Marnier Bavarian Cream Tart

Wine: Tre Monti Casa Lola

Albana di Romana Passito

Contact Kathleen here to sign up for Chef’s Table

Chef's table

Visit Beach Gourmet and Savour Wine and Cheese at 76 Prospect St.

2013 GMG/ Farm Bar and Grille Bikini Speedo Dodgeball Tournament Team Photos From David Cox

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Lanesville community Center Annual Meeting and Community Potluck

Posted on by Joanne

lansville

The Lanesville Community Center will host its annual open meeting on Sunday, April 7, from 4-6 PM, at 8 Vulcan Street, Lanesville. Come and hear the report from the board of directors to the community about what’s been happening over the past year. Offer your suggestions. Bring a dish to share. The Lanesville Community Center is fully accessible with plenty of parking.

http://www.lanesvillecommunitycenter.org/

Calling all Bird Experts. WTF is this

Posted on by capeannpainter

Calling all Bird Experts. WTF is This!

My Son James spotted this bird in one of our trees this morning. I got about ten feet away and it didn’t move. Anyone know what it is?

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Rev. Tom Bentley invites us to “Glow with Grace”

Posted on by Matthew Green

Note: We will sing “Amazing Grace” during this event, and would like to invite everyone to participate, especially members of any of our local church or secular choirs!

– Fr. Matthew Green

St Joseph’s Trolley Tonight 4PM At Fitz H Lane Parking Lt

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Sefathia writes-

We had so much fun last year young and old everyone is welcomed come visit the St. Joseph altars we will go by Trolley to 10 homes..see and feel the Sicilian tradition captioned only in Gloucester no other town goes to house to house, the children think it’s Italian Halloween..Monday 3/18 at 4 pm we meet at Fitz H Lane parking lot Trolley will leave at 4 sharp..it’s free..

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Shewsberry Delivers The Latest Greatest Version of The GMG Sticka!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Huge thanks to Shewsberry and Frank Ciolino who produce these for us and to Beth Swan who created our official logo!

You voted for the hot pink wing and Shewsberry delivered!!!

Girlfriend Julie Does Honors of the Unboxing

If you would like the latest version of the Sticka for free send a self stamped and addressed envelope and I’ll mail one out to you.

Joey C C/O Captain Joe and Sons

95 East Main St

Gloucester MA 01930

Community Stuff 3/18/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Cape Ann Community Forum

Location:  Cruiseport Gloucester , 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester,  MA
Date:   April 11, 2013  – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Lahey Health & Addison Gilbert Hospital will host a community forum to discuss recent updates and developments at Lahey Health and Addison Gilbert Hospital.  Presenters will include Denis Conroy, President of Addison Gilbert and Beverly hospitals and Cindy Cafasso Donaldson, Vice President of Addison Gilbert Hospital.  All residents are encouraged to attend this community forum, which will include a question and answer segment.

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Cape Ann Garden Club Celebrates Spring at Addison Gilbert Hospital and Year-round!

Tina Ketchopolos submits-

Members of the Cape Ann Garden Club have been volunteering at the Senior Adult Unit (SAU) at Addison Gilbert Hospital for over two years as a community service.  Leaders of the Therapeutic Horticulture/Flower Arranging project include Lida Bernard, Connie Mason and Deb Fichera. Each month, a leader is accompanied by one other alternating Cape Ann Garden Club member as they visit with patients in a group setting.  Through the generosity of its members, the club supplies fresh flowers and vases and assists patients to create their own flower arrangements. The types of flowers and containers vary by the season – ranging from the whimsical to the elegant – but always making the SAU look and smell like a spring garden!  The SAU is pleased to offer this Plant or Horticultural Therapy (unique in an Acute Care setting) as part of its comprehensive group programming for patients – which also includes Music, Art, Pet and Exercise/Movement activities.

The American Horticultural Therapy Association defines therapeutic horticulture as a process that uses plants and plant-related activities through which participants strive to improve their well-being through active or passive involvement. In a therapeutic horticulture program, the benefits of involvement in horticultural activities and exposure to nature can be seen in cognitive, psychological, social, and physical realms and research continues to reveal these connections across many groups of people. 

Each month, the team delights the patients with their gift of time and generous donations. Even patients who never thought they would enjoy flower arranging find the activity relaxing, a creative outlet and simply fun! Patients are then able to take their masterpieces home with them to share with family and friends! 

Spring at AGH 005

Pictured are Donna Caselden (L) and Lida Bernard preparing to assist patients with their flower arranging project in March.

Medication Disposal

Got Drugs?  Turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal on Saturday, April 27th

The Gloucester Medication Disposal program sponsored by Healthy Gloucester Collaborative is once again hosting a community medication disposal event in conjunction with the US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration Annual Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.  The Medication Disposal Day will take place on Saturday April 27 from 10 a.m. –

1 p.m. in the parking lot of Rose Baker Senior Center, Six Manuel F. Lewis Street, Gloucester.   In the event of rain, this event will be held inside the Rose Baker Senior Center.

Items Accepted:

Prescription and over-the-counter medications, Medication Samples, Vitamins, Narcotics, Liquid Medications

Items NOT Accepted

Sharps (sharps can be disposed of 24-7 in the main entrance of Addison

        Gilbert Hospital at the Sharps Kiosk).

Thermometers, IV Bags, Bloody or Infectious Waste, Inhalers, Hydrogen Peroxide, Personal Care Products

EARTH MONTH

Presented by Greenbelt

Love your Mother Earth. Join Essex County Greenbelt in April for a month’s worth of activities and volunteer opportunities celebrating our planet including nature walks, community clean-ups, and a workshop on green landscaping practices. Meet your neighbors, learn about how we can green-up Essex County and work together for a sustainable future. Reserve your spot today and join us in raising awareness about environmental issues like sea level rise and encouraging people to adopt sustainable practices in their every day lives. Fun for all ages and abilities, and it’s free.

On Sunday April 7 grab your binoculars and go urban birding in Lawrence with Ben Padilla from Groundwork Lawrence and photographer/naturalist Craig Gibson. Learn about falcons and songbirds living in urban environments. Or grab your boots and explore the mysteries of vernal pools in Gloucester with the Cape Ann Vernal Pool Team. On April 14 learn how to put nature to work in your yard at our Greenscaping workshop at the Cox Reservation. Barbara Warren from the North Shore Greenscapes Coalition will share green landscaping techniques, Curt Dragon of Earth Landscape will offer tips on composting, test your garden soil for pH, and plant a butterfly garden. On April 21 celebrate Earth Day with Dr. Anne Giblin and learn about sea level change in Plum Island Sound. After the talk help us keep our waterways clean by collecting debris at our Batchelder’s Landing property and the surrounding salt marsh. On April 28 walk the Cox Reservation with Forester Mike Simmons and learn how to recognize trees by their bark and buds. Bring your mobile device and practice using the free electronic field guide leafsnap. Finally watch for the date and location of Peeper Night a search for spring frogs as they shake off their winter sleep with the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team. This is a nighttime excursion so bring your flashlight and wear your boots. For more information and to reserve your spot for any of these outings go to www.ecga.org/what_we_do/earth_month or contact Greenbelt at ecga@ecga.org or 978-768-7241.

Since 1961, Greenbelt has been working with local individuals, families, farmers and communities to protect the farmland, wildlife habitat and scenic vistas of Essex County. Greenbelt has protected over 15,000 acres of local land and has had a direct role in 75% of all land conserved in the last decade. For more information about Greenbelt programs visit www.ecga.org or call 978-768-7241.

North Shore Nursery School
“Child’s Play for the 21st Century” with Tere Bowen-Irish

North Shore Nursery School is please to present a free community parent coffee on Friday, March 22, 8:45 a.m., at North Shore Nursery School in Beverly, MA. The event will feature Tere Bowen-Irish, a nationally known educator who speaks on wellness for children and families. This educational and informative discussion will touch on different types of play and how to facilitate play throughout your child’s day (and yours too!).
Learn techniques to help your baby, toddler or young child refine social, academic and creative skills.
The event is open to the public. To RSVP or for more information about the school, contact North Shore Nursery School at sdipasquale@northshorenurseryschool.org or (978) 922-8450. Visit the website at NorthShoreNurserySchool.org
North Shore Nursery School is located at 204 Greenwood Avenue in Beverly MA.
About North Shore Nursery School
For 50 years, North Shore Nursery School has embraced the wonder of childhood.  
The child-centered program provides a nurturing and engaging first school experience that builds the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.  Founded in 1962 as a nonprofit organization, North Shore Nursery School offers programs for children ages 2-5 years old.

COSTA RICA TRIP

AN ART TRIP….for all nature enthusiasts who enjoy drawing in the JUNGLE!!!—DEC.27th–jan.5th…interested  ??call JOY–978-281-4290

Second Community Meeting on Burnham’s Field is this Tuesday

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Joey,

Over the last two years, GoodMorningGloucester readers have followed the renovation of Burnham’s Field, the largest open green space in central Gloucester. In fact, many people who’ve read about Burnham’s Field on GMG have volunteered at Burnham’s Field clean-ups and even joined our new community garden. Thanks for all your interest!

The planned renovation of Burnham’s Field continues this Tuesday night with a second public meeting to welcome community input. Back in January, landscape architects from Weston & Sampson and city officials took ideas and comments from a gathering of more than 40 people. Now the community is invited once again to give their ideas and review several concepts for re-shaping Burnham’s Field. Anyone is welcome.

When: Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m.

Where: The Hive, 11 Pleasant Street (next to Pleasant Street Tea)

Who: Parents, children, neighbors, athletes, nature-lovers, dog-walkers – anyone interested in Burnham’s Field!

Questions?  Call Stephen Winslow, Gloucester Community Development Department, (978) 282-8007 or e-mail swinslow@gloucester-ma.gov

Thanks,

John McElhenny

1143 Photos From The 2013 GMG/Farm Bar and Grille Bikini Speedo Dodgeball Tournament via The Rabbit

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Video- Desi Smith From The Gloucester Daily Times Captures Dodgeball Excitement–Check The GDT Monday For More Complete Coverage

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Watch Mr Bentley (Ryan Cox’) and His team of Tracey, Grace, Peter and Chris Kersker defeat The Speedo Cops and Beverly Athletic Club Compete against Cross Fit Cape Ann.  Also Ed Collard’s Winning Squad Blinded By The Light