Great programming at Lanesville Community Center like this special event next week with a visiting scholar. You can help with research! Check your family libraries:
Cape Ann Finns: A Literary History
Tuesday, July 23rd, 3-5:00 p.m.
Prof. Kirsti Salmi-Niklander of the University of Helsinki will lecture on newly-discovered materials in the rich Finnish-American literary history of Lanesville and Rockport, where Finn Halls and families shared books, newspapers, political broadsheets, poems, and songbooks in Finnish. Salmi-Niklander’s research has uncovered the 1903-1925 issues of the hand-written newspaper Walotar, which would have been read aloud at meetings of the Salon Leimu Temperance Society in Rockport. Also found are an 1899 children’s primary reader and other books reflecting both the immigrants’s strong ties to Finland and their evolving assimilation in America, including the development of “Finglish”, a unique blend of Finnish and English languages. Prof. Salmi-Niklander would also be delighted to see other Finnish-American literature from Cape Ann, so if you have inherited some old books or newspapers and can find them in your attic or on your bookshelf, please bring these along to the lecture. All to be enjoyed with the traditional afternoon coffee and Nisu.
Summer 2019
☀☀🌻🌻🌻HAPPY SUMMERTIME LANESVILLE🌻🌻🌻☀☀
🍦🍦🍦🍦August 4th ICE CREAM SOCIAL🍦🍦🍦🍦
and Childrens Program 4-6pm
Come Enjoy Ice Cream and selected readings from “Life Story” by Virginia Lee Burton
Check out your local weekly classes at the Community Center
☯Power Yoga with Paige Amaral☯
Monday Nights 7-8:15pm
☯Karate with Matt Natti☯
Tuesday and Thursday Nights 7:00-8:30pm
All are Welcome
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Gloucester Historical Commission annual awards ceremony takes place at Cape Ann Museum
The 2019 Gloucester Preservation Awards Press Release from the Gloucester Historical Commission
The Gloucester Historical Commission invites the public to attend the annual 2019 Preservation Awards ceremony on Sunday, May 19, 2 to 4 pm at the Cape Ann Museum, 27 Pleasant St. in Gloucester. The event features a slide show of winning projects and comments by recipients.
May is National Historic Preservation Month, and each year the Historical Commission recognizes outstanding cultural heritage preservation, restoration, and education projects.
This year’s award recipients are:
Bryan Melanson – Restoration & Rehabilitation, for his cooperation and responsiveness as a developer to historic preservation on the Back Shore.
Lillian Olmsted – Stewardship, for her research and vigilance as a citizen seeking to preserve the historic character of her neighborhood.
Magnolia Historical Society – Adaptive Reuse, for the rehabilitation of the Blynman School as their headquarters and a local history museum.
Bernadette Fendrock & Alan D’Andrea– Restoration & Rehabilitation, for restoration of an architecturally significant house at 24 Beach Rd.
1623 Studios – Education & Outreach, for their programming on the history and historic preservation of Gloucester and Cape Ann.
Manship Artists Residency + Studios – Adaptive Reuse, for their rehabilitation of the Paul Manship estate as working space for artists and sculptors.
James Ryan – Preserving Gloucester History, for his annotated hand-drawn maps of Cape Ann’s granite quarries and neighborhoods.
Richard & Kathy Clark – Stewardship, for their faithful volunteer efforts on the restoration of the Civil War-era Clark Cemetery.
Annisquam Yacht Club – Restoration and Rehabilitation, for their extensive rehabilitation of a historically significant recreational facility.
Meetinghouse Foundation – Education and Outreach, for its cultural programs and collaborative preservation of a historic church building.
Appreciation Award for Individual Lifetime Achievement– To be announced.
Certificates are awarded based on the following criteria:
Preserved neighborhood history through research, writing, or art
Preserved a property that is historically significant in age, style, or use.
Restored using traditional materials or methods.
Preserved historical integrity or appearance.
Protected from present threat or future harm.
Completed project within the past two years.
Accomplished by individual, family, group, or company, or through community advocacy or fundraising
Award categories include the following.
Archaeology
Adaptive reuse
Stewardship
Education and outreach
Landscape preservation
Restoration and rehabilitation
Local preservationist
Individual lifetime achievement
Documentation of Gloucester’s history
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Congratulations to Ross “Sandy” Burton, Chris Wagner, Russell Hobbs, Cheryl Mazer, Juidth Oleson, Christine Drohan, Carol Kelly, and many many other volunteers who rescued and repurposed Virginia Lee Burton artist studio into a most fitting new chapter
Come on inside the Virginia Lee Burton Writing Cottagewhich was once the acclaimed artist’s former studio of her own. Virginia Lee Burton’s personal studio was rescued and nestled into the Lanesville Community Center property. The center’s clubhouse and grounds, established in 1954, seem to be the ideal spot for a summer rec program, even more so now. As one enters the cottage through the custom built door, there’s a brand new window straight ahead where the stove and chimney – and asbestos– had been. Virginia Lee Burton needed a wood stove. Today’s visitors won’t. New materials and insulation make the cottage cozy and warm.
vs “The Barn” (1948) Folly Cove Designers large public space
Chris Wagner & Ross Burton (with microphone)
At the celebration presentation on October 21, 2018, Chris Wagner, President of the Lanesville Community Center and project manager, recounted some history. Virginia Lee Burton purchased her studio from the Building Center in 1963. It was a pre fab home that she repurposed for her needs. He explained that the volunteers leveraged outreach. The Building Center responded with “anything you need,” and was so supportive of the cottage regeneration that they offered the volunteers a $5000 credit towards building materials. It takes an inspiring and talented village. Other area businesses stepped up: Timberline donated shingles; Argentino handled plastering; Closed Cell Structures out of Reading handled the spray foam so the cottage was winterized; Carpenter & MacNeille designed and commissioned door and windows custom built by Chris Roe from Bayview; architectural drawings from Dore and Whittier; KML Electric; plants and flowers from Generous Gardeners; and cut sunflowers for the reception from Shaws. How inspiring to learn that Camilla MacFadyen, artist and textile extraordinaire, had a hand in this studio-raising. Character, warmth, and charm were added to the new exterior wood work. Volunteers salvaged what they could of the studio and rebuilt a gem. Work is still underway. When Burton exited her sanctuary studio, she faced the ocean. Now it’s an ocean of love. Plans for future community programs and events (see below) are underway and volunteers welcome.
Support for the cottage renewal came from residents of Gloucester via CPA funding and donations, various city staff departments (e.g. conservation and community development), and a slew of committed volunteers. Like Russell Hobbs! Here’s the modest presentation listing some key volunteers:
The poignant celebration was held inside the Lanesville Community Center and concluded with an apt recitation from a Little House passage read by Christine Drohan.
Don’t you love happy news! Virginia Lee Burton’s actual studio was saved and painstakingly and faithfully rebuilt and relocated to its new permanent home at Lanesville Community Center, Gloucester, Ma, with the help of many. “The rebuilding process of the Virginia Lee Burton (VLB) writing cottage has started with the much-needed help of volunteers, a Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant from the City of Gloucester, private donations and corporate donations from Dore and Whittier of Newburyport, MA, DMS Machine and Fabrication of Barre, VT and the Gloucester Building Center.”
Mark your calendars for upcoming events beginning this weekend!
The Lanesville Community Center Board of Directors invites you to
“A Celebration and Preview of the Restoration of the Virginia Lee Burton Writing Cottage: An opportunity to thank funders, donors and many community volunteers, Sunday, October 21, 1pm
Family Event: “First Reading” of Virginia Lee Burton’s books with Avis Burton Demetrios and Eleanor Demetrios, Saturday, October 27, 1pm
Children’s Drawing on October 27, 1-3pm to be displayed at the Cape Ann Museum children’s room
The Virginia Lee Burton Cottage was designated a historic building by the Gloucester Historical Society. Reconstruction was funded by a grant from the Gloucester Community Preservation Act.”
Learn more and enjoy before and after photographs by visiting the VLB writing cottage website. Don’t miss the 2018 interview with Lee Natti
“This Saturday morning forum is offered in collaboration with Essex County Greenbelt, Friends of Dogtown, Lanesville Community Center and Mass Audubon and held at Cape Ann Museum. The forum will be moderated by Ed Becker, President of the Essex County Greenbelt Association.”
UPDATE: Cape Ann TV is scheduled to film the event!
Edward Hopper Cape Ann Pasture watercolor drawing (ca.1928) was gifted to Yale University in 1930East Gloucester Atwood’s Gallery on the Moors as seen on the left in 1921–open vistas at that time
Chris Leahy gave a presentation at Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library on February 23, 2017: Dogtown- the Biography of a Landscape: 750 Million Years Ago to the Present A photographic history through slides presented by the Gloucester Lyceum and the Friends of the Library. Mary Weissblum opened the program.
Chris broadly covered the history of the local landscape from an ecological bent with a bias to birds and blueberry picking, naturally. New England is a patchwork of forested landscapes. He stressed the evolution of bio diversity and succession phenomenon when the earth and climate change. “Nature takes a lot of courses.” He focused on Dogtown, “a very special place”, and possible merits of land stewardship geared at fostering greater biodiversity. Perhaps some of the core acres could be coaxed to grasslands as when parts of Gloucester were described as moors? Characteristic wildlife, butterflies, and birds no longer present may swing back. There were many philosophical takeaways and tips: he recommends visiting the dioramas “Changes in New England Landscape” display at Harvard Forest HQ in Petersham.
“Isolation of islands is a main driver of evolution”
“Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester has the highest concentration* of native butterflies in all of Massachusetts because of secondary habitats.” *of Mass Audubon’s c.40,000 acres of wildlife sanctuaries statewide. “The fact that Brook Meadow Brook is in greater Worcester, rather than a forested wilderness, underscores the value of secondary habitats.”
“1830– roughly the time of Thoreau (1817-1862)– was the maximum period of clearing thus the heyday for grasslands…As farmsteads were abandoned, stages of forests return.”
Below are photos from February 23, 2017. I added some images of art inspired by Dogtown. I also pulled out a photograph by Frank L Cox, David Cox’s father, of Gallery on the Moors (then) compared with a photo of mine from 2011 to illustrate how the picturesque description wasn’t isolated to Dogtown.
Edward Hopper, Cape Ann Granite, 1928, oil on canvas can we get this painting into the Cape Ann Museum collection?
Louise Upton Brumback (1867-1929), Dogtown- Cape Ann, 1920 oil on canvas
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On Sunday, September 27, 2015 between 12 noon and 7:00 pm, The Lanesville Community Center proudly presents its 6th Annual Music Festival featuring local musicians, food, artisan and cultural vendors, activities for kids and beverages for adults all supported by enthusiastic local volunteers.
Admission is by Donation at the event – Rain or Shine.
Performances feature the talents of Charlee Biancini, Quentin Callewaert, Joe Wilkins, Mamadou Diop, Steve Amazeen, Greta Bro, The Tree House Charlatans, and Squash, Hicks and Pickens. This brilliant line-up brings together new faces as well as old favorites performing in delightfully diverse musical styles from African Drumming to Digeridoo – from sea shanties to sultry Blues.
In addition to the music, the Festival promises food and other fun… the former provided by The WillowRest, Joe’s on a Roll, Holly Cow Ice Cream, and our own LCC festival fare…the latter by a showcase of wonderful vendors and community volunteers.
The Festival is generously supported by The Cape Ann Savings Bank, The City of Gloucester, and other friends of the LCC. And, we in turn, are sharing raffle proceeds in support of the Cape Ann Animal Rescue who will be on hand with pet-able furry friends.
The Lanesville Music Festival is truly a celebration of our neighborhood and we look forward to sharing The Lanesville Community Center and the “Lanesville Way”.
Come early – stay late – listen to great music, amidst a festive combination of food, art, culture, education, beer, wine, raffles, popcorn, Hoola-Hoops and more.
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Pete Seeger, one of America’s best-loved folksingers, an untiring activist, environmentalist, and an inspiration to many, passed away on January 27th, 2014.
Folk Life Studio and members of the Cape Ann folk-singing community invite all to an open community sing-a-long to celebrate the life, spirit and music of Pete Seeger.
Come as you are! Bring a song or a story, a snack or non-alcoholic beverage to share if you wish.
Acoustic musical instruments are welcome, too! This will be a participatory evening, as what could be a more appropriate way to remember and honor Pete?
We’ll start at 7 to be more accessible to families with young children. Song sheets will be available. Spread the word! Bring your friends! Bring your family! There is no charge for admission.
I would like to invite you to an upcoming event in which I think that you may be interested. On November 9th I am co-hosting a free presentation titled “Explore the Possibilities for Transforming Your Landscape into a Garden of Eden”. Our presentation will discuss the basics of permaculture and ecological design and look at the many common and uncommon edible plants which can be grown in our area. Permaculture is a design system which uses principles which facilitate health and abundance in natural ecosystems to enhance human systems. I am co-hosting this event with Kay Cafasso, an extraordinary permaculture educator form western Mass.. The presentation will take place at the Lanesville Community Center on Saturday, November 9th from 1 to 3 PM.
Could you please share this information on GoodMorningGloucester? I have attached our flyer.
I hope to see you there!
Thank you,
Alex
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The Festival features ten hours of great live music starting outdoors on the grounds from 1-7pm with some of the North Shore’s best musicians covering: bluegrass, traditional and contemporary folk, Celtic, country and blues, jump, jive and boogie. Great food and beverages will be sold by Smokin’ Jim’s BBQ with beer and wine on sale, as well as local crafts and children’s activities. Admission for the daytime music is by donation.
1:00pm Roots 66: Ev harlow, Paul Harty. John Hicks, Jon Stone, Rose Sheeran, Ira Levine
1:50 Gary Dolinski: solo
2:25 Orville Giddings & Ken Steiner
3:00 pm Quentin Callewaert: solo
3:25 Bluegrass: Eric Wilson, John Hicks & Jon Stone
4:00pm Fozzie Hill & Rocky Kramm
4:35 Lisa Marie with Silvertone Steve
5:20 Alek Razdan & the A Train Orchestra
6:15-7:00 pm Dr. Iron Crow & His Traveling Medicine Music Show: Ric Saint Germain, Frank Hawks, Ken Steiner and Tod Ellyson
It all continues indoors on our dance floor from 7:30-11:30pm, featuring the great, KBMG band (King, Brown, Mattacks and Ginandes). Advance tickets for the evening dance party are available at Gloucester Music on Main Street and the Plum Cove Grind in Lanesville for $12 until the day of the event. Tickets will be $15 at the door and you can purchase during the daytime music event.
Visit our website: www.lanesvillecommunitycenter.org for more information on the outdoor music lineup and times, as well as directions, parking information and our other upcoming events.
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Check out this news release sent by Sara Wester about two very fun looking events :
Celebrating Gloucester’s Gabriel, Sylvester “Hooley” Ahola In March, Gloucester will be celebrating the life and music of our own world famous trumpeter. Two events will be held at the LanesvilleCommunity Center, located at 8 Vulcan St. and once the Ahola family’s dairy barn.
Sunday March 10, 1:30 – 4:00, “Hooley’s Place in Jazz History” Come listen to his wonderful music, and stories by people who knew and played with him, and enjoy photos, displays and some of his home movies from the 30’s. The event is free and open to the public, donations welcomed. Join us for coffee and nisu.
Saturday, March 23, from 8-11, dance and stomp to Hooley’s music played live by the 7 piece jazz and swing band The SeacoastStompers. Beer and wine will be on sale. Tickets are $10 in advance and available at Gloucester Music and the Plum Cove Grind in Lanesville, or $12 at the door.
And, during the month of March, the Cape Ann Museum at 27 Pleasant St. will be celebrating Hooley with an exhibit from their archives.
Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe will present its fifth annual production of “A Shakespeare Celebration” paying a birthday tribute to the genius of William Shakespeare. The theme of this years presentation is comedy, featuring some of his most noted fools, jesters, clowns and windbags. There will be scenes from “Much Ado About Nothing”, “As You Like It”, The Merry Wives Of Windsor”, “Twelfth Night”, “The Two Gentlemen Of Verona”, and others, plus sonnets and songs. As has been CAST’s custom, traditional English cake, pastry, and punch will be served for an audience and cast get together after the performance. And, of course, a round of CAST’s birthday song to the Bard of Stratford. Directed by Nick Neyeloff and Joseph Stiliano, the cast features Jonathan Arnold, David Cluett, Mia Formichella, Olivia Gale, Andrew Hoover, Ray Jenness, Dominic Parry, Ken Stoeffler and Cathy Sullivan-Bradley. “A Shakespeare Celebration” will play April 27 and 28, 7:30 PM at the Old Sloop Coffeehouse, 12 School Street , Rockport. Tickets are $15; $10 (student); $5 (youth 18 yrs. & under ) and may be reserved at cast2008@prodigy.net or purchased at the door. More information at capeannshakespearetroupe.blogspot.com and Facebook.
Heather Atwood Forwards-
Barbara Erkkila will be at the Lanesville Community Center this Sunday from 3-5 talking about Lanesville history and her life. There will also be a ceremony honoring her work in the Lanesville Community Center. Nisu and coffee will be served.
Raffle To Support Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Down At The Lone Gull
To Help Travis Todd:
Hello my name is Travis and I am an eleven year old boy with a chromosome abnormality that is rare,so rare that I am the only known case in the world. I love to go outside for walks in my wheelchair but I get upset when my mom stops to talk to someone, she needs to keep moving.I can walk but not far and not alone because I am legally blind. I can not talk at all and I have a g-tube so that I can eat. I am a very happy boy and my mom says that I have the cutest smile and the sweetest little laugh. I love my mom and dad and they love me. I have two older siblings and a niece and a nephew. My family is my life and I am theirs.
My Physical Therapist recommends that I get a Rifton Tricycle. This tricycle provides the support I need with specific accessories to allow me to ride around with my siblings.
Lanesville History Week begins with a celebration of the founding of the Lanesville Community Center on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. with writer Barbara Erkkila. There will be coffee and nisu, traditional Finnish bread, while she talks with Lee Steele and other founding members and neighbors about the first days of the Lanesville Community Center.
A potluck supper follows at 6 p.m. There will be music by Sylvester Ahola and old photos of the early days.
More than 50 years ago, a group of neighbors contributed money, skills and labor to establish a meeting place for families in the village of Lanesville. A group of about 20 families purchased an abandoned dairy barn from the Ahola family. The first event was an old fashioned clambake with lobsters, clams and corn raked out of the seaweed from hot stones in a pit the men had dug in the yard. The women contributed pies, coffee and nisu. Enough cash was raised to buy lumber and concrete so the work could begin to rehab the building. With entirely volunteer labor, cowstalls were ripped out, a floor was laid, and the sagging structure was shored up. More improvements have followed over the years.
Louise Upton Brumback (1867-1929), Dogtown- Cape Ann, 1920 oil on canvas
Good Morning Gloucester 