Tag: Gloucester Ma

Week 2 Defending Gloucester | Try Mr. Goulart’s local history trivia for 9th graders at Gloucester High School – good luck!

Posted on by Catherine

GHS_20180423_©catherine ryan

Over six weeks I’m posting local history trivia questions from Shaun Goulart’s creative weekly scavenger project for his 9th grade history class at Gloucester High School– except we’ll be one week behind the students’ pace. He explains that the “questions are multi-layered and usually have an image required in the submission. All questions will deal with Gloucester’s local history. I recommended to the students to utilize friends and family so your student may be reaching out to you for help. It is a competition and the prizes will be calculated into the Term 4 grade” for the students.

Mr. Goulart’s LOCAL HISTORY TRIVIA WEEK TWO

WEEK 2 of 6: DEFENDING GLOUCESTER

Location #1

  • Who was the first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony?
    • Go to the location of the fort named after him and take a picture with a member in it.
    • During which war did it receive this name?

Location #2

  • Take a picture at Fort Point with the former location of the Coast Guard Aviation Station behind you (must be visible in the picture)
  • What was the fort called on Fort Point?
  • Name a war it was utilized in.

Location #3

  • From Fort Point go to the location of the seven-gun earthwork battery and barracks in ramparts field. Take a picture with the old towers in the background (do not go on private property)
  • Name a war it was utilized in?

Screenshot

  • Screenshot Google Earth with all three above locations in it and circle them. Submit the image.

Prior Posts

3/14/19 Week One results

3/10/19 Week One trivia questions

 

Sort, Roll, Inspect, Repeat – Mary Ann’s descendant & construction progress on Long Beach seawall

Posted on by Catherine

Construction work continues on the Long Beach seawall at 3 compromised sections: two 500′ sections (one is closer to the Gloucester edge and the second pretty much mid beach) and a third 30′ area of trouble at the corner by the creek and footbridge. Last summer’s temporary pyres have been vastly expanded with truckloads of boulders from Johnson’s Quarry. The line of boulders helps to prevent sand from being scoured away by seas and the bottom of the wall from further erosion. The rip rap will add ballast support weight.

Besides the crew at Long Beach, the second unit labors at the quarry. It’s slow and careful going impacted by weather and tides. This week was busy. Next week’s conditions are less favorable. Extra time is allotted to make certain heavy equipment beats the tides or the very real possibility of large equipment breaks or malfunction (thankfully has not happened yet). People wondered if a jetty or two was in the works but that is simply temporary staging.

Boulders are deposited at the Gloucester entrance to the beach and transferred to repair sites. Excavators work with Rockport DPW and GZA engineers for optimum selection. (GZA was contracted for Gloucester’s Stacy Boulevard work.) “Spotters” can be seen atop the Long Beach walkway. After the boulders are dumped into piles, the excavator sorts, lifts, rolls and inspects the whole lot and singles like searching for an impossibly hard to find puzzle piece. Sometimes one boulder is turned 15x before it’s the correct pitch or timing. The sorting was remarkably graceful and reminded me of rinsing and prepping berries or beans.

One day at Long Beach I spotted a swimmer with a glorious and faithful arm tattoo of Mary Ann from Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. He was staying at Cape Ann Motor Inn. Did he know that the author and illustrator, Virginia Lee Burton, was from Gloucester? He was stunned and thrilled. She modeled the steam shovel after one she brought her son to see busy building Gloucester High School. Families with little construction fans might enjoy watching Mary Ann’s descendant shoring up the Long Beach seawall.

The timeline for permits and planning for a future sand phase have not been slated.

Long Beach seawall Gloucester Rockport Ma_20190315_© cryan

 

 

RESULTS WEEK 1 | try Mr. Goulart’s local history hunt #GloucesterMA Throwback Thursday

Posted on by Catherine
GHS_20180423_©catherine ryan
Gloucester, Mass.- Great teacher at Gloucester High School, Shaun Goulart, creates a local history scavenger hunt trivia game for his 9th grade students that takes place weekly for 6 weeks. We’re taking the challenge one week after the students. Good luck!

ANSWERS TO SHAUN GOULART’S LOCAL HISTORY TRIVIA WEEK ONE

 

How did you do? Week one delved into the history of Cape Pond Ice. More than one player “had to call a friend”, Scott Memhard, owner of Cape Pond Ice and City Councilor. He kindly shared supplemental archival material included in this post. Stop here if you prefer to go back to see questions only from 3/10/19 Week One trivia questions

Continue to scroll for the answers.

 

courtesy photo from Scott Memhard Cape Pond Ice Gloucester Mass (3)

1)In 1848 a blacksmith named Nathaniel R. Webster started a company by damming a local brook. What did the brook become known as?  ANSWER. VETERANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMPUS

2)What did Webster’s company become known as? ANSWER. CAPE POND ICE

3)Take a picture at the present day location of the company 

20160718_© catherine ryan.jpg

4)Take a picture of the street named after him with a member in it. ANSWER. WEBSTER STREET

5)What is in place of the brook today?  MATTOS FIELD-  ABOVE = FRAT CLUB AND BELOW EVENTUALLY LEADS INTO LITTLE RIVER AT GOOD HARBOR BEACH

WATER PATH.jpg

6)Take a picture at the location of the old dam with a member in front. ANSWER. THE SCHOOL

 

 

 

PART II

7)A competitor to Webster named Francis W. Homans in 1876 created a 32 acre man-made lake. What is the lake known as? ANSWER. FERNWOOD LAKE

 

 

8)Submit a screenshot of a map of the lake (Google Maps or Google Earth)

Fernwood lake.jpg

9)What year did the two companies merge? ANSWER. 1908

Courtesy photos below from Scott Memhard, Cape Pond Ice, Cape Ann Museum

 

 

Courtesy photo from David Collins-

“My grandfather, Millard Collins, Sr., worked for one of the ice houses for a while. He died in 1918 at age 29 in the Spanish Flu pandemic. At that time he was working for LePages’s and had taken a leave of absence to care for his brother, Jacob, who had contracted the flu first. Jacob died October 17, 1918, and my grandfather died October 28, 1918…”

“I’m enclosing a picture of my grandfather and his horse-drawn ice wagon. You can see the word “ICE” faintly written on the inside back of the wagon. The youngster atop the horse is my father, who was born in July,1912, so I date the picture to about 1913 or so.”

courtesy photo from david collins.jpg

Prior Posts

3/10/19 Week One trivia questions

 

Motif Monday: Fitz Henry Lane house #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

The stone jug was the historic studio and home of the artist Fitz Henry Lane (1804-1865) located on Harbor Loop in downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts. The city owns the building. Schooner Adventure, one of the city’s national historic landmarks, and fabulous Sail GHS work from here. Both are willing to share limited space with a cultural residency. I hope one day the Lane house may be recreated as an historic artist home and studio celebrating the artist and Gloucester and as such serve as a mini welcome center. Part of the maintenance and operating costs and helping the two organizations on site might be off set by integrating the Lane use back in some capacity. The Winslow Homer property in Portland has done well and is open for guided tours on specific days and times. It does not have staff on site.

Fitz Henry Lane home March 7, 2019 snow

 

 

What makes a #GreatTeacher? Try Mr. Goulart’s local history trivia for 9th graders at Gloucester High School! Week 1 of 6- good luck!

Posted on by Catherine

GHS_20180423_©catherine ryan

Knowing how much Gloucester fans enjoy history and hearing when it’s integrated into the school curriculum, I thought GMG readers would like to know about a Local History Trivia game 2019 by Gloucester High School teacher, Shaun Goulart, AND to give it a go!

And who doesn’t like a great teacher story?

For the next six weeks I’ll post local history trivia questions from Shaun Goulart’s creative weekly scavenger hunt project for his 9th grade history class at Gloucester High School– except we’ll be one week behind the students’ pace. He explains that the “questions are multi-layered and usually have an image required in the submission. All questions will deal with Gloucester’s local history. I recommended to the students to utilize friends and family so your student may be reaching out to you for help. It is a competition and the prizes will be calculated into the Term 4 grade” for the students. No thoughts about what the prize could be for this tandem run.

I’ll post the quiz just after the students’ weekly deadline, and post the answers the following Wednesday. Leave your answers in the comments below( or email) — first all correct submission will earn top points.

GHS Gloucester Mass_20190129_© catherine Ryan

The GMG point structure for Shaun Goulart’s local history trivia hunt 2019 will be as follows:

  • First submission correct on first day, Sunday  = 5 points
  • Submitted Correctly first day, Sunday = 4 points
  • Submitted Correctly second day, Monday  = 3 points
  • Submitted Correctly third day, Tuesday = 2 points
  • Submitted Correctly Wednesday = 1 point

LOCAL HISTORY TRIVIA WEEK ONE

1)In 1848 a blacksmith named Nathaniel R. Webster started a company by damming a local brook. What did the brook become known as?

2)What did Webster’s company become known as?

3)Take a picture at the present day location of the company (selfie or with a member in it)

4)Take a picture of the street named after him with a member in it.

5)What is in place of the brook today?

6)Take a picture at the location of the old dam with a member in front.

PART II

7)A competitor to Webster named Francis W. Homans in 1876 created a 32 acre man-made lake. What is the lake known as?

8)Submit a screenshot of a map of the lake (Google Maps or Google Earth)

9)What year did the two companies merge?

*We’ll see how the photo part plays out. Maybe there’s a bonus for great photos 🙂

snow_20190306_Gloucester Mass © catherine ryan
What fun from teacher Shaun Goulart! The answers could be anywhere out there

Awesome Easter Island head snow sculpture in #GloucesterMA yard

Posted on by Catherine

Gloucester, MA. The March 4, 2019 winter storm dropped great snow for sculpting. Check out the “Gloucester Island” snowman on Hartz Street near Jeff’s Variety thankfully lasting as long as the weather stays cold.

Gloucester Island_ snowman yard sculpture_20190307_Gloucester MA_© catherine ryan

 

Please leave a comment if you know of another must see snow sculpture in Gloucester.

Today’s paper | #GloucesterMA Ocean Alliance in the news and update from DR

Posted on by Catherine
IMG_20190306_142919
Sean Horgan article for Gloucester Daily Times “Ocean Alliance Planning Innovation Center at Paint Factory” includes rendering of restoring 2 former sites for new use

View past Paint Factory Ocean alliance _20190306_Gloucester MA_© catherine ryan

March 5, 2019 Message from Iain Kerr – update on Ocean Alliance research trip off the coast of the Dominican Republic studying breeding humpback whales 

“It gives me great pleasure to advise you that our last 3 days on the water have been fantastic, each day better than the previous. The weather has fallen into a typical trade wind scenario, calm in the early morning and picking up as the day goes on. We were on the boat this morning by 6:15 and had the pleasure of watching a sunrise at sea (with a whale of course).

Today we had our 1st sample by 7:15 am and had our 9th sample by 9:00 am, by 12:30 (when the winds picked up) we had collected a total of 14 samples bringing our expedition total to 54. Our goal was 50 samples, so we are now ahead of the game with 3 days to go. As the sun rose we were with a mother, calf and escort, we collected two Snot samples from each whale so we could have comparable samples, then we collected another sample from each whale flying at a higher altitude than the first set so that we can try to determine what effect height might have on the success/productivity of the biological data (snot) that gets onto the dish.

Angie Sremba is here from Dr. Scott Bakers lab at Oregon State, Angie has been focusing on the DNA analysis. She brought us some exciting information with regards to how our biological data capabilities have (successfully) evolved over time. It is important to remember here that part of this whole process is developing the collection tools and protocols and while Dr. Bakers lab is developing the preservation and analysis protocols. In summary in 2016 we had a 39% success rate with regards to sexing the animals from the DNA and a 55% success rate on the mitochondrial DNA. In 2018 we had a 92% success rate with regards to sexing the animals from the DNA and a 96% success rate with the mitochondrial DNA. This is clearly exciting as it demonstrates that we are learning and getting better on all fronts.

Another exciting data point today was the collection of some whale feces, the whales here are not feeding so it is unusual to find feces in this location. I think this is another amazing benefit of using drones for whale research, the drone saw the whale defecation (look very carefully for the brown stain in the last photo) and Britta and Andy were ready to collect it. This will prove invaluable in trying to put into context the hormone levels that we collect in the blow. 

We had a number of fun whale moments today but one of the best ones was a mother and Calf lob tailing together (lifting their tails up and crashing them down onto the water). The mother would throw her tail down with an enormous crash and then the baby would do the same hardly making a splash. Andy caught one of these moments on camera (see attached photo).

Today we also did some sea trials with EarBot, after this expedition I will have four days at home and then Chris and I go to Cabo San Lucas with EarBot to work on a BBC special, so we need to make sure that EarBot is in tip top shape. Last but not least I am happy to report that this blog is supported by some amazing photos from Christian Miller and Andy Rogan.

I fly out on Thursday, so I plan to do one more blog tomorrow. I hope to report on some more EarBot and Hydrophone recordings so I can attach some Humpback whale songs from the DR, and attach a few more amazing photos.

Best Fishes from the DR. 

Iain Kerr http://www.whale.org

ARKR2117
“We had a number of fun whale moments today but one of the best ones was a mother and Calf lob tailing together (lifting their tails up and crashing them down onto the water). The mother would throw her tail down with an enormous crash and then the baby would do the same hardly making a splash.” courtesy photo by Andy Rogan for Ocean Alliance

 

courtesy photos for Ocean Alliance by Christian Miller:

 

#GloucesterMA a foot of snow at daybreak March 4 2019 winter storm

Posted on by Catherine

Snapshots during the snowstorm. Snow fell at a quick clip and was deeper than I expected. I saw two snow plows stuck and digging out. Today will be a heavy shovel that neighbors may need help with.

near Cape Ann Motor Inn Long Beach 

 

 

Salt Island Road to Good Harbor Beach- snow deeper than my boots on the dry sand

 

 

Snow blue ice in the tucks and shadows, and trees coated like Kancamagus Highway

 

 

measuring snow fall by mailbox and car coating

 

ON the radio: “Hi this is Elizabeth from Gloucester…” Wait wait don’t tell me NPR news quiz

Posted on by Catherine

WWDTM_logo_clr_stacked_highresDid you catch this week’s  witty radio mainstay “Wait wait don’t tell me?” Legions of fans of Wait Wait follow host Peter Sagal’s chatter and quip call-in format with listeners. He most always asks them where they’re calling from.  So what did he say when Elizabeth Stephens declared she’s from here?

PETER SAGAL: “I love Gloucester.”

Have a listen and thanks to John and Alexandra from Alexandra’s Bread in Gloucester, Massachusetts, for sharing.  Congratulations to caller Elizabeth Stephens! I’d love to hear more about what it was like and how it came about. And the mystery greenhouse you’ll be managing? Great fun to hear you and Gloucester on the radio.

 

Wait wait dont tell me Aaron Sorkin March 2 2019

 

transcript excerpt and link to full show below the break

BILL KURTIS: From NPR and WBEZ Chicago, this is WAIT WAIT… DON’T TELL ME, the NPR news quiz. Let me toss your salad. I’m…

(LAUGHTER)

KURTIS: I’m Bill-samic (ph) vinaigrette.

(LAUGHTER, APPLAUSE)

KURTIS: I’m Bill Kurtis. And here is your host at the Chase Bank Auditorium in downtown Chicago, Peter Sagal.

PETER SAGAL, HOST:

Thank you, Bill. Thanks, everybody.

(CHEERING)

SAGAL: We have a wonderful show for you today because we are going to fix Washington…

(LAUGHTER)

SAGAL: …By which I mean one of the great disappointments about Washington is that it’s nothing like “The West Wing.” We want the real Washington to have snappy dialogue, the soaring speeches, the perfect comebacks. And then we want it to be canceled.

(LAUGHTER)

SAGAL: Well, later in the show, Aaron Sorkin himself, the creator of “The West Wing” and “The Social Network” and “The Newsroom,” will come on to punch up reality itself. But first, we are interested in your snappy dialogue, so give us a call. The number is 1-888-WAIT-WAIT – that’s 1-888-924-8924.

Now let’s welcome our first listener contestant. Hi, you are on WAIT WAIT… DON’T TELL ME.

ELIZABETH STEPHENS: Hi. This is Elizabeth Stephens, and I’m from Gloucester, Mass.

SAGAL: Gloucester.

PAULA POUNDSTONE: Hey.

SAGAL: I love Gloucester.

(CHEERING)

SAGAL: What do you do there?

Link to the complete episode

transcript for this portion of the show: https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=699562979

Narnia in Gloucester

Posted on by Catherine

when snow falls pair of charming street lights Gloucester Mass call forth magic of narnia lamp posts

 

 

 

 

Heavy surf and high tide rough on heavy equipment at Long Beach

Posted on by Catherine

Views today were taken an hour before the afternoon high tide. Prior high tide left its mark, and I expect more tomorrow with such high winds predicted.

heavy equipment pulled off_ heavy surf high tide_winter surf_20190224_Long Beach Gloucester Rockport Mass © catherine ryan (4).jpg

 

2019 winter repairs

Feb 8 prepping for repairs

Scenes from Paige Farrell solo exhibition at Jane Deering Gallery

Posted on by Catherine

The exhibition Paige Farrell | Relationships at Jane Deering Gallery, 19 Pleasant Street, Gloucester MA continues through February 27th. Selections from Farrell’s writings are paired with her closely observed motifs, some man made, some natural. The sense of place whether the weather or locale becomes all Farrell– often soft, atmospheric and peaceful. 

Scenes from the reception 

 

 

 

Sawyer Free Library new building presentation Tues. February 26

Posted on by Catherine

architecture of Sawyer Free Library Gloucester MA_comprised of three buildings_winter 20190224_©Catherine Ryanphoto caption: three buildings of Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free public library, winter 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Note schedule change – architect presentation with new building committee and library trustees is Tuesday February 26.

  • ON Monday February 25, 2019 Saunders House Stewardship Committee, 10:30AM-noon
  • ON Tuesday February 26, 2019 there is a Library (new) Building Committee meeting 5:30 PM sharp – 7:30 PM. Please note schedule change, again. The monthly meetings announced were said to follow the traditional schedule of meeting on the last Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm, but that has not happened as meetings have been combined with Trustee meetings, etc. Do confirm ahead: 01/30/2019, 02/27/2019 02/26/2019, 03/27/2019, 04/24/2019 LOCATION: confirm SFL location if Friend Room or one of two rooms upstairs/downstairs in Saunders. There may be other informal ad hoc meetings.
  • ON Wednesday February 27, 2019 the fundraising committee for the new building may be meeting but I’m fairly certain it’s not at 4-5am– just a little typo on the events calendar. Maybe it’s 4-5pm

Fundraising committee.jpg

Catch up (click link to select)

 

Apply now for Summer 2019 Internships at Maritime #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Maritime Gloucester news from Sarah Oaks

Snow is on the ground here in Gloucester but it is time to start planning for summer 2019. We are thrilled to announce we are now accepting applications for the upcoming season’s internship program. Please forward (and post and share) the following link to all the college and high school students who may be interested in Maritime Gloucester this summer.

Maritime Gloucester Summer internship program

Maritime Gloucester 23 Harbor Loop Gloucester, MA 01930 978/281-0470

View from Maritime Gloucester and Coast Guard- Mayors Challenge_20160902_Gloucester Mass_©catherine ryanMaritime Gloucester_20170901_© catherine ryan.jpg

 

 

GloucesterCast 323 With Jim and Pat Dalpiaz, Cat Ryan, Kim Smith and Joey Ciaramitaro Taped 2/20/19

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro


GloucesterCastSquare

GloucesterCast 323 With Jim and Pat Dalpiaz, Cat Ryan, Kim Smith and Joey Ciaramitaro Taped 2/20/19

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Topics Include:

Dieting is not fun when your life revolves around food.

Favorite Olive Oil Challenge

Costco vs BJs

Passport photos and travel habits. What kind of traveler are you? Link to info re passport photos: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/photos.html

Last chance to see travel exhibition Once Upon a Contest – Cape Ann Reads at Cape Ann Museum (CAM)

Vacation week Programming at Sawyer Free and Cape Ann Art Haven and special offers at Cape Ann Lanes and Cape Ann Marina

Two Bald Eagles at Niles Pond

Hector The Black Vulture being seen at Niles Pond

Three Young Swans at Niles Pond

Plover Ordinance meeting recap from Kim Smith

Common Milkweed and Marsh Milkweed recognized as best for Monarch Butterflies

Super Moon Full Snow Moon

Adventureman update 21 marathons to go- Perspective- he’s trying to enjoy every bit of it, says he’ll be sad when he is done.

Shop with a view

Posted on by Catherine

We snapped a wiper scraping snow off our car windshield. I headed downtown to Consumer Auto Parts, Whistle Stop Way, Gloucester, Mass. for replacements. They were happy to re-attach them if I ran into trouble which was nice to hear. I especially enjoyed the view of St. Ann’s framed through the window at nearly the approximate orientation of vistas depicted in Gloucester works by artist, Edward Hopper.

Shop with a View_ easy to find in Gloucester Mass_Consumer Auto Parts Whistle Stop Way_20190219_© catherine ryan.jpg

EDWARD HOPPER_railroad gates_private collection_Gloucester MA©catherine ryan

interior auto parts store_Gloucester MA_20190219_© catherine ryan.jpg
interior view – Stocked and stacked and helpful

#GloucesterMA Public Art – last chance to Instagram temporary mural at Cape Ann Museum

Posted on by Catherine

 

portrait of Bonnie L Sylvester_ inspecting her public mural in process_Cape Ann Museum_ _20181214_© catherine ryan.jpg

Once Upon a Contest – Selections from Cape Ann Reads travel exhibition closes at Cape Ann Museum February 24, 2019. The radiant show has stopped people in their tracks to sit and read awhile. The show celebrates children’s picture books by local authors and artists. A temporary mural by Bonnie L. Sylvester has generated photos and selfies and will be painted over after the show closes.

below: installation and in progress views, Bonnie L. Sylvester painting temporary mural for Once Upon a Contest at Cape Ann Museum Gloucester Ma. 

“As part of the original creative design and concept for the Once Upon a Contest travel exhibition, artist Bonnie L. Sylvester was invited to create a public mural in three parts. After two years steeped in preparing final illustrations for the Cape Ann Reads Medal Book, The Tree in Dock Square written by Jean Woodbury and illustrated by Sylvester, the two week process for this Cape Ann tableau involved sketching key elements and applying layers of custom mixed paint for a walk in installation effect. This temporary wall mural is a first for the artist and the Cape Ann Museum.” 

Bonnie L Sylvester painting temporary mural installatin at Cape Ann Museum for Once Upon A Contest exhibition © Catherine Ryan.gif

Portrait of Bonnie L Sylvester painting temporary mural at Cape Ann Museum Gloucester MA_20181213_© Catherine Ryan.jpg

From Morning Glory to Yella on the Water | Together at City Hall finalizing restaurant transition (targeting May 1 2019 opening!)

Posted on by Catherine

Nancy Cooney and her daughter Grace were at City Hall to support plans for Danielle and Carlo Berdahn’s new Mediterranean bistro, Yella on the Water, opening May 1, 2019 in the former Morning Glory space on Stacy Boulevard. They opened Yella Grille in Andover  (and catering) ten years ago.

The Gloucester  Zoning Board approved some deck work at their waterfront dining site. Grace spoke about how hard her mom works, the bitter sweet closing, and the plans and excitement of these impressive new owners. The Berdahns made the decision easier for her mom to transition to a well-earned retirement and for customers to welcome a new eatery. The family wishes them well and long success in Gloucester, too.

Nancy Clooney daughter Grace, Nancy Clooney Morning Glory_Danielle Berdahn Yella_ together at City Hall formalize transition _20190214_Gloucester Ma © catherine ryan
Grace, Nancy,Danielle