Tradition on Rocky Neck

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Fred Bodin writes-

For the past 26 years, my good friend Bob Rubin has made amazing Christmas trees of his own design. Every year Bob and his sweetheart Harriett host a dozen or so friends (including Joey C’s Uncle Tony) around New Year’s Day for a “Tree Viewing,” where one enjoys sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and fine wines. There is history and tradition here:

RubinTree2001RubinTree2009

Happy New Year!

Posted on by Matthew Green

How better to start the New Year than with beauty? Here are more shots from my October vacation in Paris – these ones are from the cathedral of Notre Dame (with a hat-tip to the Catholic feast day today, Solemnity of Mary Mother of God).

 

 

 

 

– Fr. Matthew Green

Newell Stadium Progress Report From Dick Wilson

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Ron Gilson writes-

Hi Joey:  I talked to my friend Dick Wilson the other day,  requesting a progress report on the Newell Stadium construction. (see download of pictures  below). Things are progressing according to schedule and the entire facility should be ready sometime next summer.  This is a big deal for Gloucester, and for the first time in my life our h.s. athletic facility is getting a first class "the best" up grading possible.  Gloucester will have the premier athletic facility on the North Shore.  The committee is also planning an appropriate dedication ceremony, maybe in the early fall of 2013.  It should be fun.     

Ron Gilson

Dick Wilson suggested I provide you an update on the Renewal of Newell – also known as New Balance Track & Field at Newell Stadium.  Dick’s passionate about this facility as a symbol that Gloucester supports our children and schools.

Here’s some of the latest photos.

The construction has been on schedule. Demolition has been done, the site regraded, a new storm drain line installed and foundations for the new athletic field lights have been set. If we can get a stretch of dry weather in the 40’s we may even be able to lay the foundation for the bleachers before January. Things will really shape-up in ~mid-March when the new bleachers will be erected and the preparation for the new turf begins.

The City has committed $298,000 in Community Preservation funds towards the project. As Dick may have mentioned, the GFAA continues its push to raise the last ~$100,000 in funds to revamp the scoreboard and other amenities to create a top-notch facility. There’s still opportunities for folks to donate either immediately or through a three-year pledge. People can contact http://www.gloucesterathletics.org/newell-stadium/

Stephen Winslow

Gloucester Community Development Department

Community Photos 1/1/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Another photo for the "Annisquam Lighthouse Photo Exhibit"

Hi, Joey,

Here’s my photo of the Annisquam Lighthouse:

IMG_4883

I enjoy your site daily!

Thanks,

David Simmons

Does anyone offer jewelry classes on Cape Ann?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,
I was wondering if you knew of any jewelry classes in Gloucester or Cape Ann?
Thanks,
Donna
Donna Caselden
Staged for Sale
31 Rockholm Road
Gloucester, MA 01930
Www.staged-forsale.com

Hope To See You All At The Rocky Neck Plunge Jan 1 at Oakes Cove Beach- Don’t Forget Some Non-Perishables For The Open Door!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The 2013 Rocky Neck Plunge will be held  Jan. 1st at 11 am

If you’re a FOB we want you there and don’t forget to bring some grub for Open Door.

From Cathy McCarthy-

Hey Joey,

The Annual Rocky Neck Plunge will be held on Jan. 1st….2013 at 11 am..

Once again, we will be hosting a food drive for The Open Door.. ‘

Items most needed::

Tuna, 100% juice, Soups, Peanut Butter, Pasta Sauce, Breakfast Cereal , Baking Items.

They requested no glass bottles. We collected over 600 lbs last year and would love to be able to hit that mark,plus more..

We will do our traditional poem by George Sibley at 11 am. and then the plunge…

Much Thanks Joey,

Cathy McCarthy

Alicia and Chris At Mamie’s Kitchen Offering Free Coffee and World’s Greatest Coffee Roll To Rocky Neck Polar Plungers

polar

Hey Joey,
We are bummed we can not make it to the Plunge but in honor of our absence
we invite all the plungers (is that a word) in for a FREE coffee and FREE coffee roll
to warm their hearts before the Rocky Neck Polar Plunge!
We are open 7am to 2pm New Years Day!
Happy New Year!
Alicia & Chris
Mamie’s Kitchen

DSC01043

After The Rocky Neck Plunge Hot Coffee, Hot Chocolate and Fish Chowder At The Cultural Center on Rocky Neck

Brenda Malloy Forwards-

FYI~
There will be a post swim get together open to all at The Cultural Center on Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson St. (site of former Christian Science Church), just down the street from where the swim will take place.  There will be hot coffee, hot chocolate and fish chowder served for everyone.  If you have not seen The Center yet, this is a wonderful opportunity to see what is going on there.   Hope to see you there!  If you’d like to bring some donuts or muffins, feel free!  PEACE!

Tim Bell Has Some Nice Things To Say

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Joe………………..Not sure if we have ever meet but I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for this amazing site you put out everyday. I could not imagine all the hard work that goes into this labor of love .Thank you for making my mornings better and to reminded of just what a beautiful place Cape Ann is ,not to mention the awesome people that live here!
                              

Happy New Year to you and all the people that make GMG a joy to view!
         best to you,
T.Bell  3 Maplewood ct.

P&V’s LOL #7: You’re freezing when it’s colder than your age

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit

Of course, this LOL is only true for those of us who use the temperature scale developed by the inventor of the mercury thermometer, Mr. Fahrenheit.

This Law of Life, was inspired by Kevin Ricci of The Village Restaurant in Essex, whose answer to my question about why he always vacations in warm climates was, “I just don’t like when it’s colder than my age.”

It didn’t take me long to realize that Kevin was on to something.  You can easily test this law by asking yourself at what temperature do you feel like you’re freezing.  As predicted, that temperature (for me) is right about my age, which is considerably warmer than either the air or water will be tomorrow, hence the reason I will NOT be taking the plunge.  (There’s part 1 of your answer to this post, Joey.)

Last year Vickie took the plunge, but she’s a year older now.  More importantly, she’s a lot wiser, so she will not be taking the plunge either (part 2 of the answer).  Now the Zip Line Kid, is certainly young enough not to feel freezing in 45 degree water, but his commentary in yesterday’s video was so good that he’ll be filming instead of plunging (part 3 of the answer).  So we’ll bring donations to the Open Door, a camera, a commentator and plenty of enthusiasm for those young enough and/or crazy enough to plunge tomorrow.

But before we even think about tomorrow, we just have to point out just how much music is available tonight MORE THAN 70 SHOWS TO CHOOSE FROM!   See the full NYE schedule here.

Here’s a wintry video from 25 years ago to get you into the NYE and plunge spirit:

These girls ROCK, but their version omits the 2nd half of the bridge from Simon & Garfunkel’s original.  Does anybody know what those lyrics are?  Here’s some help:

 

200 Days until the Blackburn Challenge

Posted on by paultmorrison

The timer is set. You’re sitting there on your butt thinking of a New Year’s Resolution today. How about joining the Cape Ann Rowing Club Blackburn Challenge in a paddle around the island on July 23rd? That butt a little too big for the kayak? Divide the lard you need to drop by the 29 weeks until the paddle. You can lose a half pound a week can’t you? You get a great sense of accomplishment and a wicked cool T-Shirt. The Essex River Race on May 11th is only 130 days away. Put down that Nacho. The Cape Ann Rowing Club puts on a great event. If Rubber Duck can do it the last three years, you can too.

Blackburn Challenge

Put down the Nacho, Beat the Duck; Paddle!

This is 40

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

If you want to see a film that will make you LOL, go see This is 40. I loved it, my husband not so much. He had trouble empathizing with the characters because they are fairly dishonest with each other. I on the other hand found a certain truthfulness in the characters imperfections and lack of honesty,

The film could really be titled This is the Apatows at 40 because Judd Apatow, the film’s creator, cast his real life wife, Leslie Mann, and their daughters, Iris and Maude Apatow, in the lead roles. I think it is very cool that the family works together on films and imagine the bonds created are rock solid; antithetical to the more typical Hollywood working family lifestyle, where all the family members are running in opposite directions. One of my best friends lives in Hollywood Hills and works in the film industry in Hollywood, and I know this to be true from speaking with her about the daily struggles of being a mom while working in the industry.

If you go, don’t miss Melissa McCarthy’s hysterical outtake after the credits have rolled.

This is 40 now playing at Loews