Be A Better Boater With Captain Evangeline

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Captain Evangeline is a USCG Licensed Captain, Master and Coast Guard Auxiliary Member with a lifetime of experience in the Cape Ann area.  She and her team of widely experienced captains provide onboard boating lessons  in and around Cape Ann, Massachusetts to people of all ages who want to learn how to safely operate or be crew on a small power boat with utmost confidence.  Want to BE A BETTER BOATER?  Schedule your lesson today!  

Learn basic boat handling including docking and anchoring

  • Boating safety
  • Channel navigation
  • Proper line handling
  • General boating etiquette

Captain services are also available including local deliveries and consultations

Schedule A Lesson

Whale Encounters In Alaska

Posted on by Pat D

While I was in Seward with the Slonina Photography Alaska Tour, we went on two full day boat tours of the Kenai Pennisula and were fortunate to come upon humpback whales each day. These groups of maybe 8 whales were displaying many familiar behaviors such as lunge feeding, pec slapping, tail lobbing, and breaching. The first day, we accidentally found ourselves VERY close to the lunge feeding. You get an idea how close from the video as well as the photos.

As spectacular as it was, I found I was missing the kind of teaching information provided by our local tours such as Cape Ann Whale Watch. Since I’ve been out several times with the Cape Ann Whale Watch crew, I have learned a great deal about whale behaviors. I am grateful for that because I was able to share that information with my fellow photographers who were less experienced with whale encounters. No fault of the Seward boat operators–our boat tours there were not designed to be research oriented though there was a helpful naturalist on board. I guess I didn’t know how fortunate we are to be able to take advantage of the educational opportunities from our very own Gloucester captains and crews. But I got some pretty wonderful whale photos and I hope you enjoy! Cape Ann Whale Watch is located on Main St in Gloucester.

You can take Hopper out of Nyack, but you can’t take Nyack out of Edward Hopper’s Art

Posted on by Catherine

Edward Hopper was born on this day July 22, 1882.

Edward Hopper in Nyack | Hudson River and Hook Mountain & Nyack Beach Loop, Palisades Park

American Artist Edward Hopper (1882-1967) was born and raised in Nyack, Rockland County, New York. The home he grew up in still stands because local stewards obtained its landmark status in the 1970s and eventually designation as an important historic house museum, The Edward Hopper House Museum & Research Center.

Hopper’s boyhood home on 82 North Broadway was perched on a rise with an unobstructed view downhill to the magnificent Hudson River with easy access to an active waterfront and smack dab in the middle of two worlds.

Stepping out the front door To the Right

To the right, it was a short walk to a cityscape: his father’s store, the train station, and all that was necessary for commerce in a bustling town at the turn of the century.

To the Left

To the left and surrounding streets nearby, it was a short walk to residential neighborhoods with a handsome array of American architectural styles common on the East Coast–but unique town by town.

photos above: Catherine Ryan. 718 North Broadway, Nyack | Edward Hopper. Seven AM. 1948. Whitney Museum

FURTHER LEFT to HOOK MOUNTAIN

Further on to the left (less than 5 miles) it was a quick trip by bike to a range of scenic landscapes: rural, farm and river view estates–until the last stop—the rugged wildness of Hook Mountain, a local icon (and historic landmark for navigation), part of the Palisades park system, with stunning cliff views.

In recent years trail advocates established a complete Hook Mountain and Nyack Beach loop that’s about six miles RT. It’s awesome.

HOPPER PULSE | HALLMARK HORIZONTAL COMPOSITION

We can traverse Nyack’s particular stretch of riverfront geography because North Broadway–on the street where Edward Hopper lived and returned to–bisects the terrain parallel to the river. No matter which direction one ambles, the reassuring view of the Hudson and distant riverbank stays fixed, stretching horizontally as far as the eye can see.

Westchester, Tarrytown across the river (and on a sunny day the Tarrytown lighthouse is visible)

Above: OAK HILL CEMETERY NYACK

Of all the places he resided or visited, he chose to be buried in Nyack. Turns out, you can’t take Hopper out of Nyack.

In Oak Hill Cemetery in Nyack, the grave of Edward Hopper and Jo Nivison are next to his parents and sister, high above the family home on North Broadway, with a view of the Hudson River and the unmistakable distant shore. And sited–fittingly for Hopper–on a corner, at a bend where paths converge.

American theater legend, Helen Hayes (Helen Hayes MacArthur, 1900-1993), owned a riverfront estate across the street and a few blocks down the road from the Hopper family home, humorously nicknamed ‘Pretty Penny’ (in the block of house photos above), and drawn resentfully by Hopper when Hayes commissioned a house portrait through his art dealer or so she wrote. (I may write more about that.) The painting was hung prominently and visible in publicity stills .

Hayes is buried in Nyack’s Oak Hill Cemetery further down Oak hill from the Hopper markers. There are four flat markers flush with the grass for her family. Sadly, her daughter died in 1949 at age 19 from polio before the vaccine.

The grave for American artist Joseph Cornell is located down and off to the right of Hayes.

Edward Hopper in Gloucester

Hopper’s impressions of Nyack are repeated in his art throughout his life.

For example, here are two pairs comparing Edward Hopper’s Gloucester works and Nyack.

Land across the Hudson | land across Gloucester Harbor–this is one way I identified Hopper’s site in Gloucester.

Hill down to the Hudson from a perpendicular street (North Broadway/his boyhood home) | Hill in Gloucester.

See http://www.cryanaid.com

DON’T MISS the Bluefin Blowout – BBQ By the Sea, benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association.GET YOUR TICKETS HERE:

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

DON’T MISS the Bluefin Blowout – BBQ By the Sea, benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://bit.ly/2023BluefinBBQ
July 26th 2023
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Sample from various food and beverage vendors, listen to live music, and let’s not forget the live tuna weigh ins!

Mayor Greg Verga and his campaign team are thrilled to announce that more than enough certified signatures have been gathered to guarantee Mayor Verga’s place on the upcoming election ballot.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

“I am humbled and profoundly grateful to the constituents who have offered their signatures and, more importantly, their trust throughout my first term,” said Verga. “Their support strengthens my resolve to continue working for a better Gloucester.”

Since his inauguration, Mayor Verga has initiated and overseen numerous projects aimed at improving infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and advancing education in Gloucester. His dedication to making Gloucester a city of opportunity for all of its residents has earned him a broad base of support.

The Verga campaign’s grassroots efforts paid off with volunteers gathering signatures throughout the community. They also engaged with residents, listening to their concerns and sharing Mayor Verga’s plans for the future of Gloucester.

As Mayor Verga looks toward the election, he continues to encourage all residents to participate in the many opportunities for open dialogue about the issues they care about most. His campaign is built on the belief that every citizen should have a say in Gloucester’s future.

WE WON’T BE DOING POLITICS ON GMG BUT WILL ALLOW ANY OFFICIAL CANDIDATE IN GLOUCESTER ONE PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING THEIR CANDIDACY

Posted on  by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Publishing Of The Announcements Are Not Endorsements From GMG Simply A One Time Service To Each Candidate

To build community, start with young people — and MUSIC!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Young people getting together to rehearse and perform show tunes, traditional music, and classical pieces?

This will be fun!

But it’s not just about fun. It’s about learning, it’s about giving back — and most of all, it’s about building community.

Young singers and musical theatre enthusiasts ages 6 to 18 are invited to enroll in a brand-new “Community Through Music” Youth Chorus being launched by a group of likeminded North Shore residents, to be conducted by prominent local musician Lucas Callahan.

The group will learn, rehearse, and grow together through music, and present 3 free public concerts, as well as performing at community fundraisers — all part of a commitment to serving the community. And there will be one musical fundraising event each year in support of the Chorus.

“Community Through Music” will rehearse at Ascension Memorial Church, 31 County St., Ipswich, on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8.

This unique learning and performing opportunity will span the academic year. Tuition will be $800 per year, $400 per semester, with a payment plan available, as well as scholarships. These fees cover the costs of the conductor, accompanist, sheet music, choir folders, and concert programs. Chorus members will also receive a discounted rate for private lessons from the conductor.

For more information, contact Lucas Callahan via CallahanMusicBusiness@gmail.com.

Gloucester Stage Company presents

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

THE DING DONGS

A Captivating Comedic Thriller by Playwright Brenda Withers and Director Rebecca Bradshaw

Performances Friday, August 11 through Sunday, August 27

Gloucester Stage Company is excited to announce the highly anticipated opening of THE DING DONGS, a comedic thriller by Cape Cod playwright Brenda Withers and directed by Gloucester Stage’s Artistic Director Rebecca Bradshaw. A part lesson in how power evolves and how intimidation works, audiences will have the opportunity to experience this thought-provoking play beginning Friday, August 11, through Friday, August 27, at the Gloucester Stage Company’s historic waterfront theater. 

Rebecca Bradshaw, will bring Withers’ play to the stage, having directed its 2022 debut at the Kitchen Theatre Company.  Re-uniting the work’s original cast and creative team, she will lead the incredibly talented ensemble of actors in reprising their performances, including Karl Gregory (Joe), Erica Steinhagen (Natalie), and Nael Nacer (Redelmo), who was previously seen at Gloucester Stage in the critically acclaimed regional production of Tiny Beautiful Things for which his powerful performance was nominated for an Elliot Norton Award.  

In the critically acclaimed THE DING DONGS, when sweet-faced strangers show up on a suburban doorstep, the tight-lipped homeowner finds their story suspicious: the house, they claim, was their childhood home, and they’ve come in hopes of getting a quick peek. As they cheerily muscle their way across the threshold, using wit and wordplay to mask a more sinister threat, it becomes clear the couple has no intention of leaving. 

“I’m ecstatic to be able to take a second stab at Brenda Wither’s The Ding Dongs, shared the Director, Rebecca Bradshaw.  “The flexibility and trust Brenda instills in her interpreters is a playground for a director. This play has a way of twisting and turning with every line, even after watching it countless times it still leaves my jaw dropped. I can’t wait for Gloucester to join this wild ride!”

“The Ding Dongs” delves into the complexities of human relationships. It bends reality with wit and mystery as we are asked to examine who has the right to stand on the land they inhabit,” said Christopher Griffith, Gloucester Stage’s Managing Director. “Brenda Withers’ brilliant, witty, and insightful script combined with our own Artistic Director Rebecca Bradshaw’s masterful direction promises an unforgettable experience for our audiences, one that will linger long after the final curtain call.”

THE DING DONGS will run from Friday, August 11, to Sunday, August 27. All performances, unless noted, are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm at Gloucester Stage Company located at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester. Tickets are now on sale and available at GloucesterStage.com. 

The 2023 Season at Gloucester Stage has been made possible by the Shubert Foundation and the Applied Materials Foundation. STEW is made possible with support from The Marla & Clifford Robinson Family Fund and by Coldwell Banker.

PERFORMANCE TIMES AND LOCATIONS:

All performances, unless noted, are Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm at Gloucester Stage Company located at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester. 

Tickets to the Gloucester Stage 2023 season are on sale now. Single Ticket prices range from $15 to $67, with discounts available for seniors, military families, college students, youth under 18, E.B.T. Cardholders, W.I.C. benefits, and Cape Ann residents. For detailed ticket information, visit www.gloucesterstage.com. 

Season Packages start at $200 for four tickets for any mainstage performance and include early access to seating, no fees, and free ticket exchanges. Packages can be purchased or renewed by calling the Box Office at 978.281.4433 or visiting gloucesterstage.com/subscribe. 

For additional information, contact The Box Office, located at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, or can be reached at 978.281.4433 or boxoffice@gloucesterstage.com. 

º Member Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) Union 

*Member Actors Equity Association (AEA) Union 

Picnicking At A Glacier

Posted on by Pat D

I will be returning soon to Gloucester, but I have to admit lunching at a glacier is an experience Gloucester cannot provide and I will miss it. We took a boat tour from Seward to Aialik Glacier on the Kenai Fjords National Park. There are only 6 of us on this photography tour so it has been pure pleasure to enjoy the wonders of Alaska with this small group (thanks to Slonina Photography). We got to witness some calving, which is when chunks of ice break away from the glacier and fall into the water. From our distance, some of those ice chunks appeared to be smallish but the thunderous noise from the echo was chilling! Glacier ice kept our drinks chilled. If you ever have the chance, this is highly recommended.