Tag: Float

JoeAnn Hart’s Latest Novel Float Out Now!!!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns
float JoeAnn Hart

“Float” is all of these things: joyful and troubling, hilarious and somber, evocative and introspective.” ~ Necessary Fiction

Ashland Creek Press Announces the publication of Float:

We are thrilled to announce the publication of JoeAnn Hart’s smart, witty second novel.

To learn more about JoeAnn Hart and Float, read this Q&A with JoeAnn on the Ashland Creek Press blog. Also, be sure to check out this Q&A on art, the environment, and advocacy with JoeAnn and Float cover artist Karen Ristuben.
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Float is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as through your favorite indie bookstore, including The Bookstore of Gloucester. Float is also available as an e-book for the Kindle, the Nook, and at the iBookstore. You can also download an excerpt here.Visit JoeAnn’s website for news, reviews, events, her blog, and much more.
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Duncan rescues the seagull, not realizing that he’s being filmed by a group of conceptual artists and that the footage will soon go viral, turning both him and the gull into minor celebrities. And when an unsavory yet very convincing local, Osbert Marpol, talks him into a not-quite-legitimate loan arrangement, Duncan can’t help but agree in a last-ditch attempt to save the jobs of his employees.When Duncan Leland looks down at the garbage-strewn beach beneath his office window, he sees the words God Help Us scrawled in the sand. While it seems a fitting message—not only is Duncan’s business underwater, but his marriage is drowning as well—he goes down to the beach to erase it. Once there, he helps a seagull being strangled by a plastic six-pack holder—the only creature in worse shape than he is at the moment.

For a while, it seems as if things are finally looking up for Duncan—yet between his phone-sex-entrepreneur ex-girlfriend’s very public flirtations and the ever-mysterious terms of his new loan, Duncan realizes that there’s no such thing as strings-free salvation—and that it’s only a matter of time before the tide rises ominously around him again.

A wry tale of financial desperation, conceptual art, insanity, infertility, seagulls, marital crisis, jellyfish, organized crime, and the plight of a plastic-filled ocean, JoeAnn Hart’s novel takes a smart, satirical look at family, the environment, and life in a hardscrabble seaside town in Maine.

JoeAnn HartJoeAnn Hart ~ Brendan Pike Photo

Guest Writer: Author JoeAnn Hart

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

What is the liquid equivalent of unearthed? Not unwatered. Dewatered? No. How about dredged? That’s more about muck than water, but for my purposes, it will work on a metaphorical level, as in, to dredge up the past. Gloucester did not feel the full force of Hurricane Sandy this fall, which gouged out New York and New Jersey, remapping their shoreline and reminding us that water may be unpredictable, but so, it seems, is land. Still, we got bruised just being on the sidelines, as massive swells spewed up heaps of seaweed along with the usual flotsam, our floating history. On Raymond’s Beach along the outer harbor, big ticket items included fish bins, net balls, blue tarps, and a beige rug.

 As Daisy ran up and down the beach sniffing out seagull wings, I gathered loose debris and moved it beyond the wrack line so it could be collected at a later date. Empty motor oil containers, rubber gloves, water bottles full of brown water, it seemed all I saw was trash. My friend, Jackie, who makes seaglass jewelry, once told me that you can look for seaglass or you can look for sea pottery shards, but you can’t do both at the same time. I was so focused on plastic I couldn’t see anything else, and nearly walked past a pale bisque figure the size of my middle toe.

Smooth as a pebble and blotchy with seaweed stains, this small seafarer had spent a lifetime under the concealing sea, maybe as long as a century, back when bisque dolls were commonplace. She is no longer that staid Victorian, but has undergone a sea-change. Naked, limbless, and marked with great age, she should be in a museum labeled “Salacia, Roman goddess of the sea.” Like other relics from an ancient world, the doll survived because she knew the great trick was to flow with the tide.

What of her past? She may have been left at the beach by a child, or fallen off a boat. Who says it was an accident? She could have been thrown out to sea by some snitty Edwardian toddler, or dumped as municipal garbage into the deep, as was our coastal custom not so long ago. She has holes at her shoulders where wire once allowed for movable arms, but salt ate the copper tendons, releasing first one arm from her body, then the other. The seas rolled her along the ocean floor, until one day she lost her head. Eventually she found peace wedged among the rocks, hidden by swaying underwater plants, with only a dull sheen of sunlight above. In time, her legs disappeared below her knees. No need for them in the place where legless creatures dominate. All the while, tidal sands brushed against her body, healing over the wounds and reducing her to a bare human essence.

Then a storm like Sandy comes along and changes the depth and nature of her sanctuary, shooting her back into the tides. How she materialized on Raymond’s Beach is a mystery. How I saw her is a miracle. Perhaps our eyes are programmed to spot a human form above all else. At any rate, she changed my focus. Seeing her nestled there in the sluice, the beach was no longer just a stretch of land where garbage comes to rest. Freshly washed by the outgoing sea, the wet sand glowed in the autumn light as gulls scoured the blinding waterline for morsels. Suddenly, instead of seeing nothing but garbage, all I saw was loveliness. I named the doll Sandy and took her home. She sits on the high ground of my desk, a lesson from Salacia’s realm: Do not just focus on trash, real or metaphorical, but keep your eyes and heart open for when random beauty comes washing up at your feet.

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I hope you enjoyed JoeAnn’s beautiful writing. She is the author of the novels Addled and the forthcoming Float (Ashland Creek Press, February 2013). Float, set in coastal New England, involves the fishing industry, conceptual art, jellyfish, marital woes, and plastics in the ocean.

Guest Writer: Local Author JoeAnn Hart Shares Her Beautiful Story About Niles Pond

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

JoeAnn Hart is the author of the novels Addled and the forthcoming Float (Ashland Creek Press, February 2013). Float, set in coastal New England, involves the fishing industry, conceptual art, jellyfish, marital woes, and plastics in the ocean.

Ocean Path at Niles Pond

Niles Pond and the Narrow Path

Folklore has it that Niles Pond was once in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the closest body of fresh water to the ocean, but I can’t verify it. No matter. Not only does it seem true, but as with other Guinness records, such as the heaviest weight lifted by tongue (27.5 lbs.), it also seems impossible. Yet there it is. This 38 acre pond is separated from the salty Atlantic by a causeway just wide enough for a footpath. There is Niles on one side, neatly defined and calm, and on the other, the pounding surf of Brace Cove. To stand between the two is to feel washed in conflicting emotions. I walk this route with Daisy, my fuzzy mutt who believes herself to be a famed hunter of ducks and likes to splash into the dark pond up to her sternum to stir them up.

Niles is named after the farmer who once owned Eastern Point, the small spit of Gloucester land where I live. Of the many unique features of the intertwined land and waterscapes here, Niles is nature’s odd duck. It is a Massachusetts Great Pond, meaning that it is like a Common, where citizens have the right to graze their sheep, except this Common is made of water. Instead of grazing, it is reserved for hunting, fishing, ice-making, and recreation. Duck hunting is no longer feasible because of all the homes built up along the shore, and fishing is also a moot point because the perch have been eaten by the snapping turtles. As for ice, Cape Pond Ice (“the coolest guys in town”) churns it out for the fishing boats these days. That leaves recreation. I’ve never seen anyone but Daisy swim in the pond, what with those snappers, but there are skaters when there is ice. There was no ice last winter, speaking of breaking records, but that is a topic for another time. The point is, Niles is left mostly in the hands of wildlife, as nature intended.

Phragmites at Niles

But what does nature intend? Does it intend for the pond to be choked by phragmites, the feathery reed that is prowling along the perimeter? In geologic time, Niles was once part of the ocean, an extension of Brace Cove. Over the years, rocks rolled to shore, sand accumulated, and the dune got higher until one day it was shut off from the sea. A natural spring bubbled up and slowly replaced the salt water with fresh. In the 1830’s, sensing that the ocean might want to stake a claim again, Farmer Niles reinforced the 400-foot dune with granite to preserve the pond for ice-cutting and “ornament.” It remains a prime resting place for migratory seabirds, and a source of fresh water for the stealthy mammals of the land, including fisher cats and raccoons. At any given time, grebes, cormorants, and ducks float on the surface, while herons and egrets stand around on one leg pretending to be reeds. The mute swans are probably a human introduction, but they are hardly mute. They hiss and snort and otherwise act aggressively because people feed them, which confuses wild animals and makes them testy. That, and the fact that the turtles pull their cygnets from below and eat them. But the phragmites are more aggressive than either swan or snapper.

Migrants

According to Fish and Wildlife, non-native phragmites appeared in
coastal ports in the eastern
 United States in the 19th century, probably as seeds clinging to the hulls of ships. Maybe humankind’s natural purpose on earth is to help immobile species move around the globe. It is hard to figure out where we fit in, but in this aspect, we’ve succeeded. The rapid spread of phragmites in the 20thcentury is attributed to habitat disturbance and eutrophication. Raise your hand if you know what that is. It’s over fertilization from the nitrates from lawn fertilizers and phosphates in laundry detergent seeping into the pond. Phragmites are usually an indicator of a wetlands system out of balance. Well, aren’t we all?

Daisy on the path

Niles Pond wants to grow up to be Niles Marsh. Humans want it to stay a pond, as, I’m sure, do those migratory seabirds. A group of residents is working to have the phragmites dredged. But they’re tenacious plants, with stolons like bullwhips. The upside of this tenacity is that they might hold the earth in place when the Atlantic comes calling for the pond. But, again, that is a topic for another time.

Mallards and Cormorants

Daisy and I do not think of all this when we walk. Her mind is on ducks, mine on “ornament.” It’s particularly hard getting out of the house this time of year. I have to leave unfinished work behind in order to beat the early-setting sun, but Daisy and I need the exercise and the mental cleansing. When we get to the causeway, she scrambles down the steep bank of Farmer Niles’ stones in search of her ducks, while I, shedding myself of the day’s challenges, walk that narrow path between internal calm and unleashed energy.

Sunset at Niles

Reblogged from Newfound, the online journal about place for which JoeAnn is a monthly contributor.

Thank You to Our Sponsors, Our Float Builders, Our Walkers, Our Music and The Parade Organizers- GMG- Winner Most Creative Float

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 

Sista Felicia writes up the thank yous-

Barry, best husband and kindest man in the whole world, he has supported my crazy creative projects for many years and always does it with a smile, never complains , never looks for thanks or credit, very much likes to stay under the raider………if it were not for him this year this float would have never happened…I really mean that…. he worked hard hauling lumber in and out of his truck, for days, splitting used pallets of wood up, removing bolts and nails with the sawzall for hours cutting measuring nailing painting & the list goes on and on…. absolutely crazy what he did for us this year to make this happened… their was no possibly way we could have afforded to buy all that wood & would have never been able to pull my giant plan for this huge pot off with out MY BARRY ….

Ed……..The man that does  what ever is asked of him & always with a smile, for his assistance with the construction and guidance too many things to list  and for putting up with me…

Craig…..helped with construction & painted the logo…Outstanding job! Wow he has talent….& just a really great guy

Deanna Ouderkerken… ..as always the best neighbor ever….painting, building,sewing crafting assembling driving to NH to get the confetti launchers and being our lead dancing Hommie! Best Hommie 2nd year in a row

Joe Santisi……… helped painting wood and splitting up pallets along with removing nails

Ma……..cutting letters,crafting,sorting candy, shopping for supplies with me ,packing up the tailgate supplies ,ironed for hours…was my second set of hands

BJ……… helped with construction, removing bolts splitting pallets,shopping for candy, hauling supplies in and out of the house for days, filled all water supplies loaded car withs with tools supplies, candy, food, squirt gun patrol, in charge of confetti launching

Amanda……… crafted shopped for supplies, helped with construction, cleaned Uncle Joes Truck for hours, prepared last minute food for tailgate sorted and organized candy with grandma, was my assistant with what ever I needed at the moment( Basically my kids need a break from hearing me yell their name…knowing another task i needed help with

Frank Ciolino……. picking up the trailer with Ed, packed all the coolers with drinks & ice, loaded all the tailgate food into his truck and helped the guys with the last minute construction, did pretty much what ever was need to help us leave the house, followed the float to make sure it made it through the streets ok ( also thank you to Joes Wife for stopping by to help load the cars and coolers)

Steve Noble……. from Noble Electricians , rewired giant lobster eyes

Joey Marcantonio………. Squirt gun patrol, to keep the pretty girls along the Rt cool, fog machine assistant, and confetti launcher

Caylee DeSilver…….. helping load the trucks with candy and supplies,costumes, walked the parade handing out candy, helped me with last minute cooking

Donna Ardizzoni painting………helping with assembly and crazy Dancing Homie!

Ron Gilson…….painting the back side of the giant lobster, and helped at my house for 2 days assisting anyone who needed something…really sweet man

Paul Frontiero…….T-Shirt Printing

Kim Smith…… getting last minute things at the grocery store for me… helping Ma cut out last minute letters, helping pack up the food for the tailgate party

Jeremy Frost …….Barrys" Wing Man" last minute construction at the high school, he was the man in charge of "everyone stuff in the truck".. From cameras, to lipstick to keys, extra shoes, pocketbook’s, and He was my sticker man, My Candy Man, and my confetti launcher man, helped get the float back to the house,and unload the aftermath of the float, parade and tailgate party in my truck all back into my house

Rick Ardizzoni….. Donna husband helping with last minute assembly at the high school

Vicki……. for sound, and last minute decorating on float at the high school

Marlie Melvin……. candy girl, helped with last minute decorating

Micayla Ciolino…… help load supplies and food onto trucks, packed coolers with drinks, walked in parade on candy partol

Niko……. Frank Ciolino nephew … great kid so helpful …super sweet assisting at high school to do what ever was need to finish the float and pack up the taigate stuff, also was on candy duty dressed up in a lobster costume!

Kyle Frost….. squirt gun patrol, to keep the crowd cool ! fog machine assisant, confetti launcher

Tanya Frost……. Keeping me Hydrated along the parade Rt.. and completed last minute decorating, helped set up and break down the food for the tailgate party, was my spotter for kids safty along the parade RT

Talor Frost …..Candy girl

Jolie Frontiero…… The dancing Candy girl

Joanne Frontiero……. spotter for kids safety along the parade Rt..

Eloise  Mad Pie & The Mrs……… Candy girls

****Huge THANK YOU….to our Sponsors for their very generous donations

Please patronize these GMG Approved Community Minded Businesses

gimmesound_final

gimmesound.com — local live music listings.  Find every live music show in Gloucester and Cape Ann — listen to music on-line & download — all for free.

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The Lone Gull is a family owned coffeehouse located on Main Street in historic downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts. Our ideal location makes us a great place to stop for a drink or a bite to eat, to chat with friends, or to have a business meeting. We offer free wi-fi to our customers, extremely comfortable couches and chairs, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

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Stones Pub

Stones is a small comfortable neighborhood pub in Gloucester, MA, America’s oldest seaport! We offer homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts all made on premises before your eyes in the open kitchen. The delicious smells welcome when you come in the door to a warm greeting.

Ed Collard House Doctors Handyman Services

Passports Restaurant

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Noble Electricians

978-283-0750

Steve Noble who does so much community work donating his time toward many great causes.

Robert Heidt

The new executive director of the Chamber of Commerce says that Good Morning Gloucester does so much for the community that he wanted to personally be a sponsor of the 2012 GMG horribles parade float

Circle Consulting

Donna Ardizzoni and Rick Moore

With Circle Consulting, small and mid-size companies can cost-effectively leverage world-class technology experience. We keep up with the latest developments in the rapidly changing technology sector, so you can focus on your core business. Let us do what we do best so that you can do what you do best.

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Gloucester Bytes

Tim Blakeley From Gloucester Bytes the man who made the Gloucester Webcam project possible!

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Greg Harris Brierwood Landscaping (978) 281-7564

for letting us use his trailer

Preparations are Under Way For The 2012 GMG Horribles Day Float and Props To Our Sponsors!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Sista Felicia and Ed are 100% in charge of building the float but are looking for FOB’s to come help make this the best GMG Horribles Float to date!  Huge thanks to our sponsors listed below the pics!

GMG 2012 floar 004GMG 2012 floar 017GMG 2012 floar 018

Props to our awesome sponsors!!!!

Please patronize these GMG Approved Community Minded Businesses

gimmesound_final

gimmesound.com — local live music listings.  Find every live music show in Gloucester and Cape Ann — listen to music on-line & download — all for free.

image

The Lone Gull is a family owned coffeehouse located on Main Street in historic downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts. Our ideal location makes us a great place to stop for a drink or a bite to eat, to chat with friends, or to have a business meeting. We offer free wi-fi to our customers, extremely comfortable couches and chairs, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

image

Stones Pub

Stones is a small comfortable neighborhood pub in Gloucester, MA, America’s oldest seaport! We offer homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts all made on premises before your eyes in the open kitchen. The delicious smells welcome when you come in the door to a warm greeting.

Ed Collard House Doctors Handyman Services

Passports Restaurant

image

Noble Electricians

978-283-0750

Steve Noble who does so much community work donating his time toward many great causes.

Robert Heidt

The new executive director of the Chamber of Commerce says that Good Morning Gloucester does so much for the community that he wanted to personally be a sponsor of the 2012 GMG horribles parade float

Circle Consulting

Donna Ardizzoni and Rick Moore

With Circle Consulting, small and mid-size companies can cost-effectively leverage world-class technology experience. We keep up with the latest developments in the rapidly changing technology sector, so you can focus on your core business. Let us do what we do best so that you can do what you do best.

image

Greg Harris Brierwood Landscaping (978) 281-7564

for letting us use his trailer

GMG Horribles Day Parade Float Sponsorship Available

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

email me at goodmorninggloucester@yahoo.com of you are interested in sponsoring the GMG float.

Last year we took home the bacon and this year Sista Felicia, Bro-In-Law Barry and Ed Collard plan to make it better than ever.  We will place your business or personal (non-political0 banner on the float and mention your business with thanks in each post about the building and parade photos and videos.

Our seagull had a 4 inch pipe sticking out it’s butt and it would shoot out Seagull Poop waterballoons filled with milk and flour.

We also tailgate before the parade so if you are a FOB and you have a GMG T-Shirt from year’s past or if you need one you can pick one up at the Good morning Gloucester/Khan Studio Gallery at Madfish Wharf to wear.  We do a potluck tailgate before the parade in the parking lot of the high school before hand. 

Here was our First Place Seagull-pooping Homie Float Last Year-

Thanks To Golden Living For The Sponsorship Last Year

Building The GMG Horribles Float Slide-Show

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Click Here For The Slide Show

Thanks to Golden Living Center for their sponsorship