Couple from Concord NH, came down to have a Virgilio’s pastry
Couple from Houston Texas
Couple from Boston area
Tag: boston
Happy Opening Day!
If you know me, you know by now that I’m passionate about a few things…..my amazing boys, the school where I am blessed to work and my boys are even more blessed to attend, people who have your back, staying busy, all things Cape Ann, and Fenway Park. Weird, right?
I say the same thing each year at about this same time….. I appreciate baseball, I like the Red Sox, but I love Fenway Park. Cliche as it is, I find it kind of intoxicating. Larry Lucchino once led me through a door that leads from the front office to the grandstand on a day when the park was relatively empty. It was, in fact, hours away from an evening game time and the park was just starting to yawn and stetch. He told me that it was moments like that when Fenway spoke to him the most. I couldn’t agree more.
I am in love with the geometric lines and patterns, the shadows, the shapes, the textures, and the colors that make Fenway come to life. During game time, as exciting as the play on the field can get, it is the sounds, smells, and palpable buzz in the air that literally give me goosebumps. It is watching families, friends, soulmates, and strangers united in their love of a day together at the park. At all other times, it is the history that seeps from every nook and cranny, it is the tradition that stands at attention, and the memories that echo off the hallowed walls. It is my own memories and the memories of millions of others swirling together in shades of green and red that make me take pause….and smile.
I have attended Opening Days, World Series games, Big Papi’s last game, Pedro’s # retirement, ring ceremonies, rolling rally parades, concerts, charity events, and hundreds of games in between. I have been blessed to be in the midst of some incredibly exciting moments and to bear witness to history being made. That being said, my favorite minutes in the ballpark still remain the very late night hours when I’ve left a game, met friends for a drink, and then wandered back into the park and down towards the field. The park is sleepy then, the lights are still on, the air is still buzzing, the field is often shiny and wet, and all is right in the world.
The 2018 Red Sox Home Opener takes place today….and with it comes the promise of excitement, disappointments, cheers, spills, laughs, rally caps, 7th inning stretches, home runs, wins, losses, broken bats, broken hearts, continued traditions, lots of firsts, and a wild, wild ride. Buckle up, grab some friends, and make some memories. Game on.
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Visitor from Boston
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On a clear day
From Rafe’s Chasm on a clear day with Boston as the view.
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Have you noticed the sun is setting later
As the sun was gong down on Monday, realized it was almost 6:00 when I got home. Now that is a good sign. Monday night’s sunset interesting with the sun shining on one of the buildings in Boston. Also when looking at Magnolia Harbor the moorings will be full of boats in no time. YEAH…
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The Red Seat
The warm weather has given me baseball fever.. spending summer nights at Fenway never gets old. The red seat is supposedly the longest home run hit inside the ballpark,Ted Williams holds this.
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The Ice Sculptures in Boston for First Night
With the cold weather sticking around, these pretty ice sculptures will be around for awhile.
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Blue Ocean Red Sky with Boston
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Visitors to Gloucester-04
Group from Holstein, Iowa
Couple from China
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A TREMENDOUS DAY! #bostonstrong
Attending the anti-Nazi demonstration in Boston was an event I won’t soon forget. The day began really well, with a fantastic interview of our GMG podcast guests, the playwright Israel Horovitz, and Gloucester Stage Company’s Heidi Dallin and Emme Shaw. Israel fills the room with his stories and Joey knows how to bring out the best of them. After the podcast, I stopped home and had a quick lunch with Jessica while getting kisses in for our granddaughter (and return smiles!). Jessica, Tom, and I discussed transportation strategies for attending the demonstration. The Blueline was decided upon, which as it turns out was so easy, I would take this route again without hesitation. It only took forty-five minutes to drive to Wonderland Station in Revere and parking is free on the weekends.
I am unfamiliar with purchasing train tickets from a machine and rather than holding up the other passengers, I suggested to the woman next in line that she go first. She laughed and said she would help. She was a woman of color, a beautiful brown color, and within moments I had my Charlie card. This was the first of several incidences of needing assistance throughout the afternoon. The train pulled into the station and off we headed to Government Center.
Disembarking from the train and entering the plaza, the streets were so quiet you would never know that only a few blocks away were throngs of thousands. There were tourists with cameras, families and young couples mostly, sightseeing and photographing. The walk from Government Center Plaza to the State House is rich in American history, and there were even tourists on the Common, seemingly unfazed by the demonstration underway.
At the State House entrance to the Commons, you could see tens of thousands counter protesters rallying, carrying signs, and chanting anti-hate and anti-fascist slogans. I am frankly not a person who feels safe in large crowds. But I have faced my fear twice this year, once for the Women’s March and yesterday, because I wanted to go to this demonstration for no other reason than to be one of a hundred million people-strong looking clearly into the eye of fascism to say, you will never gain power in America.
I held my breath and walked into the crowd. Along the criss-crossing paths of the Common were people of all ages and colors, in small groups and large, holding handmade signs and talking about their vision for America. My fear of crowds began to lessen, and at one point a young man, also of a beautiful brown color, lent me his hand so that I could stand on a bench to take a photo.
As I headed deeper into the crowd, a scuffle suddenly broke out. I was quickly caught in a rush of people and as I struggled to get out of the way, an older couple, also of beautiful brown colors, pulled me towards them. They were standing under a tree and instructed do not run, but “stand beneath this tree with us.” After a few minutes, the fighting ceased and we made our way together out of the center of the Commons.
Along Beacon Street, which was closed to traffic, there seemed to be a police headquarters of sort. This was also where the largest group of counter protesters had gathered. They had a megaphone and were leading the crowd in chants — “Black Lives Matter,” “No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA, and “Whose streets? Our streets.” In repeated situations of high tension and raw emotions, the police kept their cool, handling haters and troublemakers with clarity of strategy and with lightning speed.
I left the rally at three o’clock and saw news footage taken later in the day, of police and counter protesters together chanting anti-hate slogans. I have to say I am so tremendously proud of the people of Massachusetts for coming together to protest peacefully for the love of their fellow man and humanity for all. #bostonstrong.
I overheard this man say that he stitched his flag together the night before the protest, with no prior sewing experience.
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BOSTON’S RAINBOW COALITION KICKS NAZI BUTTS
Forty thousand anti-Nazi demonstrators sent John Medlar and his cowardly band of fascists packing, after only one hour into what was meant to be a five-hour rally. The throngs of anti-white supremacy demonstrators gathered on the Boston Common was made of a diverse coalition. The great majority were there to protest peacefully.
The man in the red shirt getting arrested.
There were heated moments, with approximately two dozen arrests, but the well-prepared and cool heads of Boston Police officers prevailed.
The counter protesters completely eclipsed the fascists.
Hate groups are not welcome in Boston.
Chants such as “Black Lives Matter,” “Whose streets? Our streets,” and “No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA.” rang loud and clear throughout the Boston Common.
Led by Commissioner William Evans, the Boston Police presence was tremendous. #bostonstrong
Bas-relief of Robert Gould Shaw and the Massachusetts 54th Regiment marching down Beacon Street, located on the Boston Common, opposite the State House. The Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry was the first documented African American regiment formed in the north, in 1863. Bronze bas-relief by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
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Visitors from Boston and Belmont
Visitors from Boston at Cape Joe’s
Visitors from Belmont
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Visitors from Ireland
Friends from Ireland
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Soul Rebel Project Concert Castle Hill tomorrow & Zach joins in!
Soul Rebel Project will be playing tomorrow at the Thursday Night Picnic Concert at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate. It’s the 21st year for this summer concert series at Cranes, a Trustees property, 290 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA. Concerts are 7pm – 9pm and gates open at 5pm for the tailgate picnic part. Tickets are available for sale at the gate only: Members: $20/car; Nonmembers: $30/car; Walk-in, bicycle, & motorcycle: $10.
I’m psyched to hear that Zach Gorrell will be joining in. You may know Zach from his work at Sound Harbor Cape Ann Art Haven or Cape Ann Big Band. They just played Fiesta. He’s awesome! Of course, Gloucester knows Soul Rebel Project, too. And they just played during Fiesta at Minglewood.
The Thursday Night picnic concerts at Harbor Loop in Gloucester are free and held from 6-9pm. Tony Frontiero and John Rockwell & the Headlands are playing Harbor Loop tomorrow.
Enjoy some sights and sounds from Soul Rebel project
Throwback 2011 from Walt
Here are pictures from from the Soul Rebel Project band from last year’s concert at Cranes. Thanks for sharing these great pictures! Good luck tomorrow!
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Visitors on the Breakwater
Visiting from Ireland
Visiting from Central Mass
Visiting from San Diego California
From South Korea visiting from Boston area, and doing a little fishing
Visiting from out of town to enjoy a little fishing
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A Fan’s Fan
This guy, this gentleman, is what it is all about. I love Fenway Park. I love the sounds, the colors, the energy, the air, the motion, the memories, the stories….and the people. I like baseball (the players, the game, the history)….but, I LOVE the park and the stories of the fans who fill it. Two, in my book, very different things that, when coupled, create the most quintessential and perfect of New England days/nights. Goosebumps.
This gentleman is a fan who embodies generations of Fenway Faithful and I am so happy to have had to opportunity to share 9 innings of baseball with him last week. Honestly, every fan, young and old, should be so lucky as to share an inning of baseball with someone as dedicated and storied as him. Our first exchange was an awkward, “Excuse me. Sorry. Boys, be careful. Ok, sit down. Oops, sorry. Sigh. Hi.” After having troubled him to stand up, with a fair amount of effort, I was certain to place myself next to him rather than one of the boys with their sodas, gloves, balls, programs, and wiggly bodies. I sat somewhat sideways so as to give him as much space as possible…and to create a natural barrier between him and the endless assault of questions coming from Finn. We sat like that, with no further exchanges until the bottom of the 2nd. I wish I could remember who was at bat, when this nice, previously silent man, shouted, “Come on, you BUM!” and then smiled and added, “Sorry, boys, I’m not very nice sometimes.”
And….with that….our more frequent dialogue began.
As it turned out, the game we were watching side by side that Monday evening was his fourth game in four days. He was at the 16-inning Sox/Yankees game on Saturday and, yes, stayed for the entire game. “Unfortunately,” he was sure to add…because they lost. He was at the first game of Sunday’s double-header….and had also attended Friday’s game. Same seat? “No. Different seats each time. They had me in some obstructed view seats the last couple of games” he said while waving his hand in no particular direction. Shameful, I couldn’t help but think.
After some more silence I asked where he lived. I felt like I really wanted to envision the trip he had made four days in a row, alone, to get to those games….although I can’t really explain why. Well, I live in California now, but I’m home to visit. Of course most of the family I visit are in the cemetery now. I fly home in a couple of days and am going to see the Red Sox play the Angels…and then I’ll head up to Seattle to see the Mariners game next.
He went back to watching the game. I sat and contemplated all that traveling…all those innings…and how happy the game of baseball and the Red Sox must make him. And how that passion had probably shaped his life…
At one point he glanced my way for a split second and said, “You seem pretty knowledgeable about baseball.” I can’t lie…I may have blushed… coming from him. As I began to tell him a little bit about my time in the park and some of the things I had done, it quickly occurred to me that there was nothing I could say that would warrant taking his attention off the battle that was ensuing between the mound and the plate….so I allowed my answer to trail off into the wind. He didn’t seem to notice that I stopped talking…and I liked him all the more for it.
Later I asked, “How many games do you figure you’ve been to in all?” With a laugh he looked up and around the park and remained thoughtful just long enough for me to feel like he was having a brief walk down Memory Lane….and then began to answer. Well, I first started coming to games in the 40s. I worked here in the park in the 60s. I saw Game 7 in ’75. I’ve seen more than 300 hockey games, some Stanley Cups, some Super Bowls, and have gone to the Kentucky Derby three times. But, how many baseball games? I can’t count.
Wow. I mean, really…..wow.
My favorite thing though about this fan was the juxtaposition of his rough exterior and his sentimental love of the sport. He would go from, “Oh COME ON! YOU STINK!” to being the very first person on his feet to sing, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” or join along in clapping (each and every time) to, “Let’s Go, Red Sox!” There didn’t seem to be a second of the game that he didn’t experience completely and he seemed more in the moment than any other fan I’ve ever met.
The game ended far too soon….as there was so much more about him that I wanted to learn. The crowd around us began to disappear and the boys and I gathered up our things. He did not budge. We climbed over the seats in front of us and said a quick “good-bye.” I turned around once to steal a photo as his was a face I didn’t want to forget and caught him taking notes about the game while waiting for everyone else to go home. If anyone ever deserved to have Fenway Park to himself for a few minutes…it was him.
As the week progressed I thought of him often. While watching the Sox verse the Angels and then the Mariners on TV, I found myself scanning the crowd for his familiar face. Was he shouting, singing, cursing, laughing…..was he sharing his love of the game with yet another fan who would be forever grateful for the opportunity?
Thank you, Mr. Section 27, Row 3, Seat 20. May your life continue to be a Grand Slam, sir. May your bases be loaded, your pitch counts low, and your walk-offs frequent.
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Visitors from Boston
This couple drove up from Boston to enjoy the Wildlife Sanctuary at Eastern Point
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INSTAGRAMS FROM THE BOSTON’S WOMEN’S MARCH
Early morning Gloucester contingent
High School kids from Manchester, Essex, and Gloucester
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPhuNXCFIU-/
Spectacular day, spectacular turnout, and spectacularly positive Boston women’s march. Tons of men participated, too, and the event was a true rainbow coalition. Wonderful to see so many friends from Cape Ann! We arrived extra early because of the train schedule, which allowed us to be super close to the stage. The crowds just grew and grew and grew throughout the day. Lots and lots of photos to share, too many to look through tonight after a long day “marching.” Quotes around marching because the turnout was so tremendous that there was marching foot-traffic-gridlock throughout the city. Estimates have participants numbering somewhere around 125,000. EVERYONE was calm and patient and thoughtful. I think the most wonderful part was seeing so many young people at the march. So proud to be an American ❤
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPiq_Uslz-t/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPicRLFFgIl/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPhtN8ely72/
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Boston Winter at City Hall Plaza
We spent the afternoon in the city yesterday and had such a great time! While not all of our grand plans for winter vacation will get crossed off the bucket list, skating at City Hall Plaza’s Boston Winter was one that we were sure not to miss. Kids skate for $8 and adults for $10….skates are available for rent and there is a warm room with benches to store your shoes and lace up.
Some pretty nice outdoor shopping, plenty of places to grab a snack or even a drink (yes, please), and enough ice to accommodate plenty of skaters….all under the city lights of Boston. Kind of magical, really.
We got in there on the early side so we left just shy of the live entertainment rink side. The boys can never quite get enough skating so they skated once, we walked down to Faneuil Hall for lunch and a bit of shopping, and then walked back up the stairs to City Hall to hit the ice again. During their second run my friend and I figured we had earned a hot mulled wine drink….sounds iffy, but was pretty yummy…and being able to stand outside by the rink in the middle of the city with a drink in our hands (legally) was a nice treat.
The Urban Lodge, conveniently located right next to the ice, has a bar, some comfy seating, snacks, warm blankets, and even a giant sized Jenga game. There are also plenty of snack shacks serving up other drinks and treats. The shopping is pretty eclectic with a variety of items and maybe a little something for everyone. In fact, I was thrilled to discover Rusty and Ingrid snuggled into the midst of some other shopping chalets. Check out their website now, but expect a blog post about their amazing work very soon…now that I’ve been pleasantly reminded how incredible their work is!
The boys probably would have stayed all night, but we were getting chilly. We took a spin through the phenomenal Boston Public Market (also a blog post for another day!) and headed home.
So happy to have made it into the city….and to have spent the day with good friends.
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Winter Garden at City Hall Plaza? Yes, Please.
Wait…let me get this straight. A day in the city, a pretty sweet skating track, some shopping, AND a beer garden. Win, win, win, and win. So fun!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…can we please get something similar in Gloucester?
According to BostonMagazine.com…
City officials announced Wednesday a three-year deal with Boston Garden Development—owners of TD Garden and a subsidiary of Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs’ Delaware North Companies—to transform City Hall Plaza’s much-maligned, underutilized brick expanses into a “winter garden,” starting this year.
The plans call for 40 to 50 temporary vendor stalls, or “chalets,” to be erected at the corner of the plaza along Cambridge Street, forming a “European-inspired holiday shopping market. There will also be a custom-designed, 11,000-square-foot ice-skating path, the first of its kind in New England, city officials said.
And BostonGlobe.com reported similarly….
The first phase of the plan calls for a beer garden, an ice-skating path, and 40 to 50 holiday market vendor stalls — temporary shacks dubbed “chalets” — to be installed on the plaza along Cambridge Street, beginning in late October.
The area would open to the public on the Friday following Thanksgiving and operate until the last week of February, though most of the vendors would close on Dec. 31 as the holiday shopping season winds down, the company said Wednesday.
Good Morning Gloucester 