GHS Class of 2022 Graduation New Balance Field at Newell Stadium Gloucester High School #GloucesterMA

Congratulations Class of 2022!

The individual signs for the Class of 2022 students lining the boulevard are alphabetized A-K on one side of the Fisherman at the Wheel and L-Z on the other.

Love the customized scoreboard

Caps!

Beautiful diplomas sponsored by Cape Ann Savings Bank

1623 Studios livestreamed the event here: Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/1623Studios/.

North Shore Chamber of Commerce Honor Scholars 2022 – Gloucester, Hamilton-Wenham, Manchester Essex, Pingree, Rockport #CapeAnn beautiful Audrey’s boutonnieres for GHS🌹

North Shore Chamber of Commerce Honor Scholars 2022 recognition dinner was held in Danvers, MA. The GHS boutonnieres from Audrey’s Flower Shop of Gloucester were beautiful!

North Shore Chamber of Commerce photos click here.

A few snapshots of the Gloucester group below.

conference game Saturday! New Balance Newell Stadium GHS BOYS SOCCER (14-2-2) #GloucesterMA Fishermen

No. 8 seed in Div. 3,

2021 Northeastern Conference Lynch Championship Winner, and — I believe — the GHS regular-season record.

Pentucket plays East Boston today. The winning team will travel to Gloucester Saturday. I will update Gloucester’s opponent for the home game Saturday asap.

Gloucester has a real opportunity to make history this season as no Gloucester soccer team has ever made it out of the second round of the tournament (formerly known as the sectional quarterfinals). 

Neil Curcuru, Gloucester Daily Times great sports reporter, read the article here

**update** THE BOYS ARE PLAYING EAST BOSTON ON SATURDAY AT NEWELL- COME SEE THE HOME TOURNAMENT GAME!

Earlier this week, Danny helped at scrimmage vs. Marblehead ahead of the conference tournament. Both teams also practiced penalty shots.

Great clouds

Gloucester High School.

Grand entrance while the other lobby and entrance construction is underway.

The entrance on the other side will be closed (BEFORE reno photo below). Temporarily. Ditto the city’s Albert Bachelor Civil War-era coat which must be safeguarded so it’s not damaged during construction. This textile was used to teach a tangible expression of agency and grit.

Major Field House restoration progress at Gloucester High School | Big DPW project #GloucesterMA #GHS #Basketball #Track

After twenty plus years in need and many years of planning, the Gloucester High School field house deficiencies are no more. Restoration is underway on this 1.6 million capital improvement directed by Gloucester Public Works.

The old bleachers are being replaced with top notch product.

Issues with the original concrete and under laying have been resolved. “The new work will be done correctly.” This mean new hardwood flooring. New usable track. Gloucester DPW hired Capital construction for this big project.

Views of the progress July 2020– so exciting!

 

Gloucester High School Field House summer construction major renovations_20200727_Gloucester Mass photographs ©c ryan (5)

 

The old bleachers were punched out all over, holes like confetti. Rumor one I’ve heard was shot put tosses caused the damage (whether practice misses or on purpose, I’m not sure) Rumors two is the holes were a result of indoor baseball and softball practice. What do you think caused the holes? Cue up GMG poll.

Whatever the results, counting on community taking care of the new fieldhouse.

The  Benjamin A. Smith Field House, aka Smith Field House, was formerly dedicated to  Albert Bachelor. 

 

Did you choose a FREE sterling silver spoon THEN? Shop Small 1952 #GloucesterMA Art Jewelers gift for GHS graduates

In 1952*, Art Jewelers on 117 Main Street (now Unwind) in Gloucester, Massachusetts, offered GHS female graduates a FREE sterling silver teaspoon in a pattern of their choice.

Pauline Bresnahan writes about a great conversation she had with her mother this week:  “We were talking about running a small business on Main Street today compared to when she was growing up here. She told me about the following story which I had not heard before. My Mom Graduated GHS in 1952. Art Jewelers on Main St. offered each Female Graduate a FREE Sterling Silver teaspoon in a pattern of their choice. My Mom picked Blossom Time, an International Silver Co. pattern. She and my Dad were married in 1953 and by then purchased 7 more teaspoons. They were gifted more place settings as a wedding gift.”

Other businesses catered to students, too. Gloucester Pants Co. at 211 Main Street advertised “special rates to students” in the yearbook. Nichols Candy and Luncheonette was across the street in 118 Main Street, where Franklin is now. There were several jewelers on Main Street. (Pauline worked at Blanchards and remembers her boss taking them to Cameron’s for celebrations.)

*How many possible spoons? The GHS1952 senior class size looks to be  > 250 inyearbook.

super swag & banquet | GHS Boys Soccer Gloucester House #GloucesterMA #FishermenAthletics

Well done super boosters – Grace Ferrara and family, Carlotta , and Diane Horne – for organizing such a special event and all that went into it! The Gloucester House meal and service were outstanding. Thanks to the generous folks who bought raffle tickets and game day snacks and many volunteers and supporters. There was serious swag and a wonderful celebration for a great season. Congratulations players.

A few scenes from the GHS boys soccer dinner banquet at Gloucester House, Gloucester, MA.

super booster Grace and daughters_GHS boys Soccer banquet 20191124_©c ryan
super booster Grace Ferrera and crew 🙂

Gloucester House street sign_20191122_Gloucester Ma ©c ryan.jpg

Head Coach Armando Marnoto

GHS boys Soccer banquet 20191124_soccer boosters ©c ryan (1)

Armando Marnoto Head Coach GHS boys Soccer banquet 20191124_soccer boosters ©c ryan GIF

JV Coach Jason Rutkauskus

JV Coach Jason Rutsaukus_GHS boys Soccer banquet 20191124_soccer boosters at Gloucester House restaurant © c ryan (1)

courtesy photos from Kristin and Peg:

 

Link to slideshow

 

Today’s paper | GHS Field Hockey FINALS BOUND! MIAA Girls North Division 2 tournament 2019 🏑🏑 vs. Lynnfield at Reading 1pm Saturday

ghs field hockey featured in Gloucester Daily Times_20191107.jpg

Nick Curcuru article and Joe Brown photos (Cammi Cooper made the goal) Gloucester Daily Times here 

Review the 2019 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Assoc (MIAA) girls field hockey tournament Division 2 North bracket here

BRACKET Gloucester in the finals.jpg

 

Tough loss great season!

Gloucester varsity soccer is out in the first round of the conference series.  Lynnfield 1 Gloucester 0. Gloucester Daily Times Nick Curcuru coverage accompanied by Kirk R. Williamson photos here 

“…From there, Gloucester adjusted by switching to three strikers. But Lynnfield countered that by bringing back a fifth defender to clog up the passing lanes.

“We knew adding an extra striker would put some extra pressure on their defense,” Marnoto said. “And it did but they added an extra defender and when they won the ball they got it out wide. That gave them time to regroup and kept us from getting into our shape.” Both goal keepers were also a factor.” – Nick Curcuru excerpt

conference game november 5 2019 vs Lynnfield.png

Kirk R. Williamson photos: Gloucester’s Robert Mugabe chases down a loose ball along the sideline while being tangled up with a Lynnfield player ont the sidelines in Tuesday’s Division 3 North First Round meeting.

© photograph copyright Kirk R Williamson for Gloucester Daily Times.jpg

Gloucester’s Robert Mugabe tries to make a play on the ball as the Lynnfield goal keeper Dante Gesamondo makes a save in front of two of his defenders © copyright Kirk R. Williamson

BRACKET | MIAA Boys Soccer North Division 3 tournament 2019 ⚽⚽ game 1 Tuesday vs. Lynnfield at New Balance Newell Stadium!

New Balance field at Newell stadium _20191103_©c ryan.jpg

Find the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Assoc (MIAA) boys soccer

tournament bracket here

The links on the bracket from that site will have the addresses for the venues, etc.

GHS Fishermen Athletics reminder: Boys Soccer hosts Lynnfield Tues 11/5 6pm at Newell in 1st Round of MIAA Tournament.

BRACKET 2019 MIAA Boys Soccer North Div 3.jpg

 

GHS boys soccer next home game at New Balance Field at Newell Stadium is…

GHS varsity boys soccer_20191002_©c ryan.jpg
GHS Boys Varsity Soccer 10.2.19 vs. Lynn

 

OCTOBER 7, 6:30PM HOME vs. Salem

The team is half way through its 2019 season. Pump up the volume! For Joey and other spectators: mark your calendars with 4 more chances to see season home games.

Gloucester Daily Times sports writer, Nick Curcuru, describes the boys varsity soccer team as one not to miss: “Gloucester is not only good, it is one of the most exciting teams in the conference as it can light up the scoreboard and put up goals in bunches against any defense.” excerpt from The Contenders article. His report on the Malden game, Resilient Fishermen, is a great read about that exciting game.

upcoming games (see full schedule here )

GAME 10. MONDAY OCTOBER 7, 6:30PM (JV postponed), HOME vs. Salem

Game 11. Tuesday October 8, 3:45 (JV 4:00) AWAY vs. Lynn

12. Friday October 11, 4:00PM (JV 4:00PM) HOME vs. Marblehead

13. Tuesday October 15, 4:00PM (JV 4:00PM) AWAY vs. Peabody

14. Friday October 18, 4:00PM (JV postponed) AWAY vs. Salem

15. Monday October 21, 6:30PM (JV 4:30PM) HOME vs. Swampscott

16. Wednesday October 23, 6:30PM (JV 4:30PM) HOME vs. Danvers

17. Friday October 25, 4:00PM (JV 4:00PM) AWAY vs. Beverly

18. Monday October 28, 7:30PM (JV 6:00PM) AWAY vs. Malden

 

Dore & Whittier School consolidation plans & costs heading to MSBA August 1, 2019

 

On July 18, 2019 the architectural firm, Dore & Whittier, was slated to reveal associated rough costs on new school(s) buildings– such as construction costs, swing space costs, and eligible reimbursables– with the School Building Committee. (See summary of City Council requests July 9, 2019 here.) The meetings are public. Associated costs were not transparent for the public. Instead a dollar sign rating system was illlustrated pictorially, like so:

Slide 9 comparative costs 14 options_East Gloucester consolidation costs by Dore & Whittier and School Committee July 18 2019 Gloucester MA (11)

Why were rough estimate details cut from the presentation? A few reasons were provided, namely “MSBA does not look kindly” on public disclosure because

  • The MSBA aims to have the best possible build based on educational needs and goals rather than cost. Publishing amounts can taint the bidding or decision making.
  • The public may be too attached to numbers they hear and/or be confused because of the (lengthy) timeline. By the time shovels hit the dirt the final bids will be different.

Other districts post all associated costs, why not Gloucester? Why are the design/build firms awarded these contracts charged with bidding out the cost evaluations on projects, especially ones greater than 5 million?  Why assume this process is the only way to go about it?

Michele Rogers with Dore & Whittier announced that there were “no surprises” following review of the cost estimate comparisons. “Eliminations were easy; the most expensive were eliminated.” She concluded that this presentation was the second and final per their contract for services related to this Feasibility Study Phase. [This one feasibility study phase contract total cost is: $569,075  ($284,296 for the feasibility study and $275,704 for the future schematic design. One environmental study add on is $9075). Requests for a breakdown of all studies and plans related to new schools–at least since 2012– have gone unanswered by the school committee and architectural firm.]

The next step is to compile and deliver submission to the MSBA, the state agency tasked with reviewing Gloucester’s application for new schools.

Q. Next steps? “Submittal allows us to do geotechnical site evaluation and other necessary investigations (like traffic and environmental studies), and more design. Submittal helps us narrow down and leave behind areas we won’t bother with as we know…We’ll need to tighten the building design and handle specialized pieces. We’ll proceed from 9 options to 6 very quickly. ”

Q. What is the submission? “It’s a thick binder, maybe 10- inches thick, with all our reports to date, the educational program narrative, the space summaries approved earlier, etc.” Will the MSBA require a presentation? “No. The MSBA will review the binders within a two week turn around; then we have a two week turn around to respond.” Dunn commented to make sure the City see that. The MSBA will decide on November 13th or November 20th whether to make a recommendation to allow this proposal to proceed to the next phase: schematic  design. “Or they’ll push back and request more information.” The MSBA “will not require more work on many options as the scoring was so low. They’ll be concentrating on the top 3 or 4 options.”

Tom Ellis was present related to a staff change; Roger who managed the design phase is moving out of state so the team for Gloucester will need to be reorganized. They met with MSBA July 17, 2019 to discuss this change. (Was someone from the city at the meeting?) Chris Tremblay will be assisting. “MSBA doesn’t like surprises,” Ellis remarked.

Who does?

The costs and application should be public before it’s forwarded to the state. Chairman Jonathan Pope said he’d forward the pricing.

Presentation

Double click on pictures to enlarge the slides for the “East Gloucester Elementary School Building Committee 7.18.19″. Color coding continues as in yellow = East Gloucester; Blue = Vets; and Green = Green Street area.

And the winner (high scoring) is…

one location at Vets and both at Green

slide 13_scoring finalists_East Gloucester consolidation costs by Dore & Whittier and School Committee July 18 2019 Gloucester MA (16)
slide 13- scoring on final 9 for state

 

REVISED SCHEDULE

“By October we’ll be back on schedule. Yes, MSBA has seen the schedule and is pleased.”

slide 16 _TIMELINE NOW_East Gloucester consolidation costs by Dore & Whittier and School Committee July 18 2019 Gloucester MA (1)
slide 16 revised timeline expectations

 

Reminder! Community meeting July 25 6:30 PM

Fraternity Club Gloucester, Ma

Fraternity Club.jpg

How did we get here?

Catch up posts, documents, links related to Gloucester’s school committee new school buildings/consolidation process: Continue reading “Dore & Whittier School consolidation plans & costs heading to MSBA August 1, 2019”

New schools, big schools, small schools, where? July 25 6:30 PM Fraternity Club #GloucesterMA (Dore & Whittier costs reveal tonight 5pm)

Fraternity Club.jpgSAVE THE DATE

July 25, 2019 6:30PM

And when! “Light Up Mattos has rented the Fraternity Club, 27 Webster Street, Gloucester, MA, for a Listening Post on July 25th, 2019 at 6:30 to talk about the possibilities of a 440 student population in Mattos field area, Green Street and East Gloucester school. Together we can ask questions of each other and really see what we all think of having such a large population of students, and perhaps find new ideas, too. Please come and be heard and listen. Together we can make a difference. We will be looking for volunteers to put information flyers in neighbors doors in Mattos field area, Green Street area, West Parish area and East Gloucester area to get the word out. Proposed schools affects us all!” – Light Up Mattos

Gloucester schools | Elementary: East Gloucester, Veterans Memorial, West Parish, Beeman, and Plum Cove; Middle: O’Maley and fields; High School: GHS and fieldhouse

UPCOMING DORE & WHITTIER presentations for NEW SCHOOL(S) AND LIBRARY:

The next new school meeting is TONIGHT- July 18, 2019. Associated costs for limited options slated to be revealed. Goal for submission to the state agency, MSBA, is August 1, 2019. Meeting held in the School admin offices at Blackburn. 5pm.

Catch up on new school building process in these prior posts:

  • July 25, 2019 public community discussion all welcome! Fraternity club 6:30PM
  • July 18, 2019 Dore & Whittier slated to reveal associated rough costs on new builds/construction costs/swing space costs, and eligible reimbursables, for presentation to school committee (no public comment) 5PM
  • July 9, 2019 Dore & Whittier Presentation to City Council (no public comment) scenes (this post) and link to 1623 Studios/Cape Ann TV taping of City Council meeting July 9, 2019 here questions from city councilors following presentation begin at 27:57 minutes

School Committee Dore & Whittier presentation to full City Council July 9 2019 City Hall Kyrouz Auditorium Gloucester MA ©c ryan (6)
City Council meeting July 9, 2019 included presentation by Dore & Whittier for school committee new building options. Chair reminded audience that this meeting was not a public forum and no costs, final sites or options. There was quite a turn out.

 

Oral Communications july 9, 2019:

“Joseph S. Mattos Jr. grew up right up the street from Mattos field at 9 Linnett Place. He came from a patriotic family and chose the Army for his love of animals. Mattos field was dedicated to Joseph in 1935 and was rededicated last October 5th. the 100th. anniversary of his death.  Lt. Maxwell Parsons grew up at 65 Mt. Pleasant Ave. Lt. Maxwell served in the U.S. Army. Lt. Maxwell Parsons Playground was erected by the Gloucester Playground Commission in 1935   Ganine Nancy Doucette grew up at 19 Mt. Vernon St. The Park was dedicated in 1986 in her memory. Mr. John Gus Foote was instrumental in the dedication. Private First Class Doucette wanted to serve her country and almost could not. She died serving her country as she wished.   I am their voice as they have none. I am here today to speak for them all.   Please don’t take their dedicated open space.  Thank you. Patti Amaral”

  • Mattos family letter to the editor HERE Save-Mattos-Field 
  • July 8, 2019 GDT article by Ray Lamont announcing presentation of 9 options to City Council noting that still nothing is final and no costs or reimbursement  details will be available HERE
  • June 26, 2019 School Commitee votes to accept options 1623 Studio (Cape Ann TV) taping HERE questions begin following Dore & Whittier presentation and prior to vote at 1:05 into taping (Joel Favazza, etc,”sounding the alarm about these sites but continually told hold on calm down this is not the time to ask” and now we’re at final options no discussions. “Foreclosing opportunity (for alternatives etc) despite telling community for months there would be chance.” He mentions 12-15 months but the questions about the sites and process go back well before 2015; see selected roundup below)
  • June 20, 2019 School Building Committee votes to accept 9 options to present to school committee (no public comment) HERE 
  • June 20, 2019 Scenes and recap of new building plans presentation June 17 including full text of readings by Patti Amaral and Mary Ann Boucher  also reminder that school building committee to vote on this day for the options to push forward
  • June 17, 2019 Reminder notice of Councilor Memhard Ward meeting about new schools (open to public comments) HERE

“A round up of Pros and Cons related to the recent West Parish construction and its use and operating costs since being built might be helpful. Some West Parish feedback that made the news ranged from small inconveniences (no dishwasher) to larger concerns about design (despite ample site the gymnasium was not designed with enough space for spectators, the design of the parking lot did not take into account ease in snowplowing and numerous vehicular/traffic snafus).  There was no discussion about these proposals within a broader context of all the school properties, all the elementary schools, merging with Rockport, what happens with development of the older sites if Schoolhouse Road option is undertaken, etc.” Big built out schools haven’t demonstrated a reduction in operating costs.  The state is considering policy for livable, innovative, green and walkable communities. You can’t alter special places, build mega schools that everybody needs to drive to, and have walkable, quintessential New England neighborhoods and green communities. Can we request a modified incentive to best match our geography and green goals?

  • Spring 2019, School building committee website set up spring 2019 https://eastgloucesterbuildingproject.weebly.com.
  • October 2018 GMG post MSBA school committee school consolidation update HERE 
  • October 2017 City Begins Quest for new Merged School: Search on for funding for East Gloucester-Veterans study, Gloucester Daily Times article by Ray Lamont HERE
  • In February 2017, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), a state agency, moved the Gloucester school consolidation proposal further along in its funding process. The MSBA cost page is here where you will find information and data about schools built either a)2008-2013  or b) 2014-current.  West Parish is in there. (List of MSBA projects completed for Gloucester) MSBA splits out designer and project management phases from the final build which means you have to go back and forth between documents. Expected life span for new buildings is 40 years.
  • September 27, 2016, GMG post, Ward 1 Community Discussion about new elementary schools at East Gloucester Elementary School HERE
  • September 14, 2016 GMG post school consolidation meeting  at West Parish HERE
  • HERE’S A LINK TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAN PROPOSAL AUGUST 2016
  • January 2015 joint City Council/School Committee meeting; presentation by Dore & Whittier HERE Option A Maintain all four buildings as they are with same number of classes per grade; Option B Make additions and renovations at all four schools; Option C Remove Plum Cove or Veterans and make additions and renovations at other three (2-3 classes per grade); Option D Remove Plum Cove and Veterans and make addition at Beeman (4 classes per grade), with 3 classes per grade at East Gloucester

The next Sawyer Free new building meeting (also Dore & Whittier)

folds into the Trustees meeting 7/23/19 and specifically capital projects Wed 7/24/19 8:30AM.

 

 

BIG home tournament game tomorrow! #GloucesterMA Fishermen boys basketball vs Reading

GHS_Gloucester Massachusetts High School_basketball20181201_©catherine ryan.jpg

No. 5 seed Gloucester boys basketball  vs. No. 13 seed Reading Sunday 1pm

What: State Basketball Tournament Division 2 North Quarterfinals

Where: HOME GAME!! Benjamin A. Smith Field House, Gloucester

When: Saturday March 2, 2019   due to snow storm game moved till Tomorrow Sunday March 3, 2019 1pm

Tickets: “Just a friendly reminder that there will be a $5.00 fee for all students and a $7.00 fee for all adults.  These fees are accessed by the MIAA. Everyone will have to pay.  GOOD LUCK GHS BOYS BASKETBALL 🙂 “- Rosa 

Fast Facts:  Gloucester beat Danvers in overtime 67 to 58. Matt Montagnino scored 31 points. There was a ton of home town support in the stands (including Gloucester Hockey team after their own tough game the night before). Teenagers sported black t-shirts; tomorrow is beach attire. Reading beat Wakefield in a close game, final score 56 to 53. Winner tomorrow moves on to play Belmont in the semifinals.

Gloucester High School Fishermen Athletics facebook page –https://m.facebook.com/ghsfishermenathletics/

MIAA tournament page

MIAA boys basketball 2019 bracket North Div 2

BIG home tournament game tonight! #GloucesterMA Fishermen boys basketball vs Danvers

GHS_Gloucester Massachusetts High School_basketball20181201_©catherine ryan.jpg

Gloucester High School Fishermen Athletics facebook page –https://m.facebook.com/ghsfishermenathletics/

Great info excerpt from the Gloucester Daily Times sports coverage:

Did You Know?: Gloucester is looking to make just the program’s third ever appearance in the sectional quarterfinals. The Fishermen ventured to the quarters in 2000 and 2006. Gloucester is also hosting a first round home game for the first time since 2006 (the team hosted a preliminary round game in 2015)”

No. 5 seed Gloucester boys basketball (14-6) vs. No. 6 Danvers (10-10)

What: Division 2 North First Round

Where: Benjamin A. Smith Field House, Gloucester

When: Wednesday (7 p.m.)

Update from Rosa about Tickets: “Just a friendly reminder that there will be a $5.00 fee for all students and a $7.00 fee for all adults.  These fees are accessed by the MIAA. Everyone will have to pay.  GOOD LUCK GHS BOYS BASKETBALL 🙂 ”

What’s at stake: The winner advances to the Division 2 North Quarterfinals later this week against the winner of Tuesday’s first round game between No. 4 Wakefield and No. 13 Reading.

Points per game: Gloucester, 60.8; Danvers, 54.9.

Points against per game: Gloucester, 57.7; Danvers 62.7.

Gloucester’s leading scorers: Marcus Montagnino, 19.2; Ben Oliver, 17.3; Matt Montagnino, 9.3.

Danvers’ leading scorers: Justin DiTomaso 15.5; Armani Vlaun, 12.3.

Gloucester’s key to victory: Play strong defense. The Fishermen can find good looks at the basket against any team, and it can also play a up tempo or down tempo. The key for Gloucester is on the defensive end of the floor. If it defends the perimeter the way it did in its 86-38 win over the Falcons last month, it will be in great shape to move on.

Danvers’ key to victory: Keep up offensively. Gloucester can score from inside and out against good defense. Danvers is going to have to find a way to match Gloucester’s offensive output. The Falcon’s shot selection and ball movement must be on point on Wednesday night, they can not afford a mediocre offensive game.

 

Update- Gloucester for the win! 67 vs 58

 

Gloucester Meetinghouse UU symposium- Finding Common Ground: American Culture, Gun Violence, 2nd Amendment

commonground2018f

press release shared with GMG:

Upcoming symposium hosted by Gloucester Meetinghouse foundation at historic Gloucester UU  Church (Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church) May 19, 2018 FINDING COMMON GROUND: A SYMPOSIUM ON AMERICAN CULTURE, GUN VIOLENCE AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT

SATURDAY, MAY 19, FROM 2 TO 6 P.M., AT THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE

Spurred by national concern about mass shootings, a symposium in Gloucester on Saturday, May 19, will put a fresh focus on gun violence, examining both the intent and application of the Second Amendment and the differences among us that led to an impasse in addressing the problem. The afternoon program, at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, is sponsored by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation. It will include:

  • Students from Gloucester High School speaking about the growing youth movement against gun violence;
  • A presentation by former Essex County District Attorney Kevin Burke on issues surrounding the intent of the Second Amendment’s language on the right to bear arms and its application today;
  • Remarks by Mark Nestor, a Vietnam veteran who as commander of Gloucester’s American Legion Post 3 oversaw a unanimous vote by Post members favoring tighter regulation of firearms;
  • Discussion by Cape Ann clergy on the moral imperative for action with diverse approaches;
  • A panel discussion that will include John Rosenthal, a Boston businessman and Gloucester resident whose national organization, Stop Handgun Violence, campaigns to reduce firearms deaths.

The keynote speaker is Colin Woodard, author of “American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.” The Washington Post described this book as “a compelling and informative attempt to make sense of the regional divides in North America in general and this country in particular.” MaineBusiness.com said it “explodes the red state-blue state myth” and describes how conflicts between cultures “have shaped our country’s past and mold its future.”

This symposium is occurring as our country experiences outrage over the Parkland, Florida, high school shooting and a powerful new youth movement is taking shape with the intent to make sure it never happens again. Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation vice president Sandra Ronan describes it as “an event to help restore civic dialogue by seeking common ground on an emotional and difficult subject.” Richard Prouty, a lifelong educator and former director of Project Adventure in Beverly, will be moderator.

The program begins at 2 p.m., is separated into four segments with 15-minute breaks, and will conclude at 6 p.m. with a ceremonial ringing of the church’s Paul Revere bell, for freedom. The community is welcome to attend all, or only some, of the segments. Written questions will be welcomed and reviewed for replies from the panel in the final segment.

The program is free with voluntary donations invited. Refreshments will be available. The event is part of the Meetinghouse Foundation’s 2017-18 Concert & Lecture Series. The nonprofit, IRS-recognized Foundation was founded to help preserve and increase public use of the 212-year-old Meetinghouse. The structure is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the church founders are recognized for their role in establishing religious freedom in Massachusetts, well before that guarantee was made in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

            The Meetinghouse is located at the corner of Middle and Church Streets in downtown Gloucester and has easy access for persons with disabilities at the side entrance at 10 Church Street. Parking is available on the Meetinghouse Green, in lots nearby in the Central Gloucester Historic District, and at St. Peter’s Square.

continue to read fact sheet schedule

Continue reading “Gloucester Meetinghouse UU symposium- Finding Common Ground: American Culture, Gun Violence, 2nd Amendment”