For Stage Fort Park Volunteers: 2017 Thank You Luncheon at Captain Carlo’s

The traditional end of season Stage Fort Park Volunteers Thank you Lunch was held on Wednesday October 11 at Captain Carlo’s, and was hosted by the City of Gloucester, Mayor Romeo Theken, the Tourism Commission, and Captain Carlo’s. It was a lovely day and a great meal at a beautiful waterfront restaurant!

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The Stage Fort Park Welcome Center would not be open if not for a big group of dedicated volunteers: BERNICE B, ALFREDA O, CINDY H, CAROL M, DAVE & MARY F, DIANE U, DONNA C, ED H, ESTHER Y, GINNY C, JAN B, JOE M, KAREN B, DATHERINE P, LAURA D, ANN T, MARY C, MARYELLEN C, MAUREEN M, MIKE & LORETTA M, PEGGY M, RACHEL G, ROSIE S, STEVE D, SUSAN G, WINNIFRED D, BOB & EVELYN G, SOPHIE R, DONNA A, LINDA D, LIANNE A, and STEVE D.

Thank them! If you’re interested in joining this fun group, ask them about volunteering and why they do it. They have great stories to share. Kathie Gilson manages the volunteers. Gilson said that many volunteers return year after year, and for the 2017 season, volunteers took on extra shifts because the Stage Fort Park Welcome Center was short on coverage. The visitor center is open to the public from May through Columbus Day weekend. It’s a busy stop for visitors to Gloucester and the region. Over the summer of 2017, volunteers helped 15,000 visitors. Some said coming to Gloucester was “on their bucketlist”, others return each and every year. Visitors came from every state. Guests from North Dakota were the last state to make the tally. The Stage Fort Park Volunteers keep a guest book. Not everyone coming through signs in or leaves a note though the ones that do write in comments about Gloucester’s beauty and its friendly residents and businesses. The park is a jewell.

Captain Carlo’s owner, Carla O’Connor, is a member of the Tourism Commission for the City of Gloucester and she organzied the event. Gloucester businesses worked together with the City to offer scrumptious local favorites: baked haddock and chowder from Captain Carlos: chicken broccoli and  ziti from Causeway; and braised beef from Azorean. Desserts were from Pauline’s Gifts, Caffe Sicillia and Captain Carlo’s.  Castle Manor Inn made a contribution.

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Kathie Gilson (L), Carla O’Connor (R) welcome the volunteers

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The baked haddock–ALL the food was yummy!

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