This Monday, join Curatorial Director John Leysath for “Arms and Armor,” a presentation on the history and engineering of medieval European armaments. On display will be a number of helmets and other armor pieces, as well as weaponry from the medieval to the Renaissance periods. This hour-long presentation will cover the evolution of armor and weapons throughout the Middle Ages as well as the science behind their construction and use. There will also be a discussion about the career paths of both knights and blacksmiths, and a demonstration of how their equipment was cleaned and maintained. At the conclusion of the program there will be a short question and answer session.   *This ticket grants you access to the Arms and Armor presentation which will be held outside on the ocean facing lawn as well as access to the Museum Shop. If you wish to tour Hammond Castle Museum at the conclusion of this program, ticket holders may purchase Self-Guided Tour tickets in the Museum Shop at a 20% discount. All proceeds from this educational program support additional educational programs and ongoing Museum restorations.

The Last Taxpayer at King Henry’s Faire is a dark, bawdy romp with outsized characters doing all the wrong things all the time. Scannell’s novel is reminiscent of the low-life hilarity of the best Elmore Leonard novels and the lunacies of John Kennedy Toole’s Confederacy of Dunces. (Michael Hartnett, author of Generation Dementia)

The no holds barred narrative will satisfy your darker curiosities. (Dan McDowell, author of Level Zero)  

Last Taxpayer is a darkly written comic novel peopled with characters you can’t help but adore, despite themselves, including Gwendolyn Nix, the toughest, most single-minded gendarme since Javert. Hold on tight. It’s quite a ride. (Sara Fraser, author of Just River)

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Lawn cutting
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Mulching
Planting
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I was watching the Essex Greenbelt Osprey Cam a day or so ago and noticed an empty water bottle had appeared in the nest along with the reported 3 eggs. The Lobsta Land marsh pair, known as Annie and Squam, have successfully nested at this location for several years and David Rimmer has faithfully kept us all up to date on the goings-on. You can catch up here on the story as it develops AND watch the osprey cam.

I was timely enough to catch a view of the changing of the guard as one partner (I believe Annie) flew off briefly giving the other partner some nest time (presumably Squam). The couple quickly reunited in the nest for some maintenance. I noted one of them was kind of pecking at the empty water bottle but couldn’t really get a grip. Obviously it was carried into the nest along with some other debris. In general the couple seems happy with their nest home and I will keep my eye on it especially as we approach the expected hatching date range June 5-10 (thanks Dave!). It’s quite addicting once you start watching.

Some screenshots:

U.S. Dory Races

The International Dory Racing Committee will hold elimination races off the Gloucester Heritage Center dock Saturday June 4th at 8:30 AM.  All racing fans are encouraged to attend!!  Those dues paying members who plan to race must attend sign ups Friday evening June 3rd at the Dory Shop at 6 PM or email before 12 noon.  These races are strictly for 2 person teams in the following categories:  Juniors (men under 19), Women, Mixed Doubles, Seniors (Men Open) and Master’s (Men over 50).  The races will run from the Heritage Center Dock out towards green nun off Fort playground and back.  
Please share this with friends and family.  It will be a great day of racing, uniquely Gloucester, and fun for all!

Saturday May 28th 9am to 4pm
Castaways Vintage Cafe, 65 Main st., Gloucester, MA

Castaways Vintage Cafe Market is supporting local crafters, makers and vendors by having weekend markets – the first one is tomorrow – come check it out!

Vendors:
Cape Ann Sea Salt Co. – delicious locally made solar finishing salt 
Pat D’s Photos and Adventures – awesome photo gifts 
Temple of Enora – beautiful handmade jewelry 
Zoe Bee Designs 

Music – Matt Rich 

Extra incentive:
Free T-shirts (while supplies last) with the purchase of an açaí bowl

Hope to see you there!

Got sheep?

Gordon Massman Studio, 31 Pooles Lane, Rockport, MA 01966

Abstract artist Gordon Massman, in conjunction with Cape Ann Cosmos Media, will host an OPEN STUDIO event in the artist’s 2500 square foot industrial studio warehouse, on June 11, 4:00-7:00pm, at 31 Pooles Lane, Rockport MA. FREE and open to the public. 

Mr. Massman paints large-scale emotional depth charges, taking the viewer on magnificent journeys into the soul. The artist’s statement:

“I paint the unstructured indeterminate character of feeling, irrespective of logic and reason. I reach deep inside the complex nature of urges, desires, wishes, and motivations of the blazing human psyche. In the end, for me, there is only the tube of paint, the canvas, and the sum total of my life. I am blessedly untrained and, therefore, have no guardrails or painterly traditions to restrict my creativity.”

The Matthew Swift Gallery in Gloucester represents Gordon Massman’s work. In addition, the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA, represents eight of his “museum quality” paintings through its corporate lending program.

Before Mr. Massman embraced painting full time, The New York Quarterly Press published seven volumes of Gordon’s poetry. In 2013, his four-hundred-page volume of collected poems was nominated for The Pulitzer Prize. 

Mr. Massman holds an MFA in creative writing from The University of Alaska. He received his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas-Austin in 1972. 

The June 11 Open Studio event will be Gordon Massman’s first unveiling of his work to the public. Attendees should be astounded, moved, and inspired by this vibrant, large-scale production of a uniquely creative outburst of expression. Gordon continues the legendary Rockport art tradition but moves into a new dimension and an unparalleled scale of painting. 

Food, libations, and music will enhance a wonderful experience for all.

The Studio Restaurant & Bar –Gloucester’s landmark hotspot overlooking Smith Cove – is set to make its long-awaited seasonal debut on Thursday, June 2. The neighborhood favorite will operate under new management, led by longtime Gloucester resident and restaurant industry veteran Shawn McQueeney, with many of the same waitstaff and bartenders locals remember season after season. Additionally, The Studio will debut a new culinary team overseen by Neal Maver (Tonno) that is comprised of Cape Ann standout Doug Papows (Feather & Wedge; Foreign Affairs) and celebrated Boston sushi chef Desmond Chow (PABU) that will showcase locally-sourced seafood classics and a live sushi bar feature.

The Studio has been a crown jewel of the Rocky Neck Art Colony for nearly 70 years. Undergoing minor cosmetic updates but with all the same charm, this indoor-outdoor hangout accommodates 380 guests with traditional dining room seating, sprawling bars inside and out complete with HDTVs, as well as lounge-style setups. The restaurant, encased all in glass, offers unobstructed views of Smith Cove from every seat in the house. For boating enthusiasts, The Studio boasts several slips for private docking and this season will introduce an unmatched “cocktails to-go” program with sips like canned prosecco, stateside hard seltzers and frozen “adult juice pouches.” Additionally, The Studio is the only venue to offer a boat shuttle directly to and from St. Peter’s Square in downtown Gloucester.

Helming the kitchen, the tag-team of Papows and Chef Chow will bring fun twists to New American cuisine and signature sushi creations. Papows – who first worked at The Studio at age 14 – returns as a leading chef bringing his passion for local sourcing, working closely with Cape Ann-area fisherman and farmers. Restaurant-goers can expect to see an all-day menu with seafood delights – including Papows’ signature lobster rangoons – complemented with casual pub fare. New this season, sushi chef Desmond Chow will feature a raw bar, tucked in the back corner, where sushi-masters will be on display executing their craft. The sushi setup – dubbed XoXo Bar – is a prelude to a new restaurant concept Chow will head up come fall in Chestnut Hill. 

To quench the insatiable summer thirst, the beverage program will boast something for everyone’s palettes. New to The Studio is frozen drinks, including a Stoli Doli with a choice of fresh purees and a margarita, as well as a rum bar featuring Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay. There is a rotating selection of eight beers on draught in addition to 20 beers available by the can. While the classic pours are available, local producers take centerstage with options from the likes of Great Marsh Brewing Company (Essex, MA) and Rockport Brewing.

The Studio Restaurant & Bar is located at 51 Rocky Neck Avenue in Gloucester. Beginning June 2, The Studio Restaurant & Bar’s initial operating hours will be daily from 4:00pm-12:00am and shortly following the operating hours will be daily from 11:30am-12:00am. The Studio Restaurant & Bar also will debut live music programming featuring local artists in the coming weeks.

I had been curious as to the project underway at Stage Fort Park creating a foundation and new pathways so I checked into it. Mayor Greg Verga informed me that the DPW is working to create a new location for the Vietnam Memorial which is currently located (at the time of this writing) at the Gloucester High School. I think this is a tremendous idea! The new location will be perfect for the quiet reflection and appreciation appropriate for our Vietnam Veterans.

This is from the City website regarding those being honored (since it’s hard to read from the photo). Thank you to these men and their families especially on this Memorial Day weekend.

UPDATE: The memorial was moved and a ceremony is planned for 10 AM Monday Memorial Day at the new Stage Fort Park location.

From the current high school location:

To the future location at Stage Fort Park: