Tag: Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken

CONGRATULATIONS TO BACKYARD GROWERS!!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

MAYOR RECOGNITION DAY BACKYARD GROWERS MAYOR ROMEO THEKEN LARA LEPOINKA -5 Kim Smith 2016. JPGIn honor of Mayor Recognition Day, today at City Hall Megan Stratton, Marina Lavender, and Courtland Kelly were recognized for their service at Backyard Growers. On behalf of the City of Gloucester, Mayor Romeo Theken gave commendations to Megan, Backyard Growers Food Corps service member, and to Courtland and Marina, who are both Americorps service members. On behalf of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, all three women were recognized by Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante for their service to Gloucester.MAYOR RECOGNITION DAY BACKYARD GROWERS MAYOR ROMEO THEKEN LARA LEPOINKA -3 Kim Smith 2016. JPG

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MAYOR RECOGNITION DAY BACKYARD GROWERS MAYOR ROMEO THEKEN LARA LEPOINKA -4 Kim Smith 2016. JPG

MAYOR RECOGNITION DAY BACKYARD GROWERS MAYOR ROMEO THEKEN LARA LEPOINKA Kim smith 2016

 

Italian St Patrick Day Fun Raiser at the Tavern

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

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A St Patrick’s Day Celebration at the Tavern a Fun Raiser  for Sefatia.

A Fun Day of being Irish with a great meal at the Tavern.

UPDATE: GLOUCESTER’S FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH COMMUNITY FILM PROJECT

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

 copy-st-joe-header-final-saturatedGloucester’s Feast of Saint Joseph Community Film Project

Filming continues, with great joy, appreciation, and thanks to all the families for their continued help. Dislocating my elbow this past winter set me back a bit in the editing department, however, every cloud has a silver lining. We have filmed additional scenes and are adding more daily. I recently invested in a second hard drive for the film and now all the footage from the past several years is thankfully backed up and in one safe place.

First and foremost, my deepest gratitude and most heartfelt thanks goes to the Groppo Family and Friends, who for the past several years have included me and my camera in every aspect of their Feast of Saint Joseph Novena and preparations.

Tremendous thanks goes to Maria Cracchiolo and Joe Virgilio for allowing filming of their Saint Joseph bread and pastry making. Thank you to Mayor Romeo Theken for her suggestion to get in touch with both Joe and Maria.

Again, I would like to thank all the families who granted interviews and took the time to share their beautiful stories and traditions. Special thanks to Felicia Ciaramitaro and Mayor Theken for their introductions and help organizing the interviews during the project’s earliest beginnings.

I think an additional thanks is owed Sefatia for her wisdom in organizing the trolley tour of Gloucester’s Family altars, which allowed for a window into this world of deep devotion and community spirit.

If you would like to learn more about the film and how the project evolved, please go to the film’s website and click on the About the Film link and the Director’s Statement link. For periodic updates about the film, you can keep in touch on the blog page of the film’s website or friend me on Facebook.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM CAFFE SICILA

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Caffe Sicilia has a few pumpkin, ricotta, coconut cream, and pecan pies still available. They are going fast so hurry on in! Please pick up your pie orders before 8pm Wednesday night as they are closed Thanksgiving Day.

Captain Hollywood Mayor Sefatia ©Kim Smith 2015Mayor Sefatia stops in for a quick cup of Caffe Sicilia fabulous vegigie soup during her super busy day and shares a bite with Wicked Tuna Captain Hollywood Bill Muniz.Mayor Sefatia Caffe Sicilia ©Kim Smith

 Left to right Mario Balstreri (seated), Peter Zappa, our Mayor, and Peter Locontro

Caffe Sicilia Gloucester ©Kim Smith 2015

NEW FILM: VIVA SAN PIETRO!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Salty language advisory.

Thank you to our beautiful Gloucester community for participating in Viva San Pietro! Thank you to the Greasy Pole Walkers for interviews given during the Sunday rally and especially to Nicky Avelis for help coordinating. A huge thanks to Joe DaSilva for the suggestion to listen to Mike Forgette’s music for the film’s soundtrack and for help in contacting Mike. A tremendous thank you goes to Mike Forgette for granting permission to use his song “Whats the Difference” (link to hear more of Mike Forgette Music).

Viva San Pietro! opens with Joe Novello preparing Gloucester’s Saint Peter’s Square for the formal opening ceremony, to which he is also the master of ceremonies. Highlights from Friday afternoon’s sporting events are followed by the procession of Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishermen, around the American Legion Building (Gloucester’s first City Hall), with the parade ending in a fanfare of confetti and cheers. Mayor Sefatia Romeo Thekan takes to the stage and provides some history about the origins of the Fiesta. Senator Tarr and all officials give praise to the committee for their tireless dedication. Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante and City Councilor Steven LeBlanc rally the crowd with the traditional call and response that is heard throughout the city in the coming days, and Father Jim Achadinha gives his blessing.

Saturday’s Greasy Pole competition is featured with highlights from Joe DaSilva’s winning walk. Due to foul weather, Sunday’s events take place on Monday. The Sunday Greasy Pole Walkers in their zany and colorful costumes tell of past walks and wins at the rally held at the home of Sunday Walker Joe Sanfillipo. After processing through downtown with stops along the way at the Gloucester House Restaurant, House of Mitch, and Saint Peter’s Club, the Walkers head over to Beach Court. Because Sunday’s events had been postponed to Monday and the stage broken down on schedule, the statue of Saint Peter was temporarily moved to Beach Court. After blessings and prayers, the revelers headed back to Saint Peter’s Square to board the ferry to the Greasy Pole.

The men’s seine boat competition does not disappoint, with Lock and Load taking the trophy, followed by an outstanding flag capture by Jake Wagner.

The Walkers hoist Jake upon their shoulders and carry him to the Greasy Pole Hall of Fame Wall. Then it’s back to Beach Court where the closing ceremony is held. Congratulatory speeches are given by the team captains, with much cheering and accolades for all. After the award ceremony, the statue of Saint Peter is processed through the Fort amidst much merriment, joyful singing, and “Me chi samiou tutti mutti? Viva San Pietro!,” which roughly translated means: Are you all mute? (or Why are you not shouting?)—long live Saint Peter!

You’ll see all three Greasy Pole winners Joe DaSilva, Lenny Taormina, and Jake Wagner, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, House Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante, State Senator Bruce Tarr, Sunday Greasy Pole Walker and City Councilor Steven LeBlanc, Peter Black Frontiero, Nicky Avelis, Joe Sanfilippo, Paul Nicastro, Kyle Barry, Mark Allen, Crazy Hat Ladies, sisters Robyn and Amy Clayton, and many, many more. Viva San Pietro!

BREAKING: MAYOR SEFATIA ROMEO THEKEN OFFICIALLY THROWS HER HAT INTO THE MAYORAL RACE

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Mayor Romeo Theken made the announcement from her office at City Hall that she has officially entered the race for Mayor. She joins City Councilors Paul McGeary and Greg Verga. To be listed on the ballot, a candidate must return nomination papers by August 11th for the November 3rd election. A primary will be held on September 29th.

Viva San Pietro!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Cape Ann Museum celebrates Fiesta with film, photography, sculpture and more.

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Thekan and Greasy Pole Walkers Saint Peters Fiesta Gloucester ©Kim Smith 2014Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and the Sunday Greasy Pole Walkers June 2014

GLOUCESTER, Mass. (June 10, 2015) – The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to offer a special view of Fiesta-inspired art. The mini-exhibit will be on display in the lower level atrium from Tuesday, June 23 through Sunday, June 28 during Museum hours. Drawing on the Museum’s own collection, along with private collections in the area, the exhibit includes works by New York artist Philip Reisman who worked in Gloucester during the 1940s and 1950s, painters Lucette White and Eileen Mueller who captured the color and excitement of Fiesta in more recent years, and collage artist and sculptor Hans Pundt. Two documentary films about Fiesta will be available for viewing on a continuous loop throughout the week. Related exhibits and information can be found in the Museum’s Maritime Galleries.

St. Peter’s Fiesta – Festa di San Pietro – honors St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen. It is the largest and most colorful of the celebrations that Sicilian immigrants brought to Gloucester. The tradition of celebrating Fiesta began in Gloucester the late 1920s as a neighborhood novena and expanded to a city-wide event in the 1930s. Fiesta is still celebrated in Gloucester in late June, with music, dancing, parades, fireworks, seine boat races and the traditional greasy pole competition. On the last day of Fiesta, an outdoor Mass is held, followed by the blessing of Gloucester’s fishing fleet.

Viva! Saint Peter's Fiesta Gloucester ©Kim Smith 2014Viva!

Honoring a 700 Year Old Portuguese Tradition

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

State Senator Bruce Tarr, State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken Honor a 700 Year Old Portuguese Tradition at the DES Portuguese Club.

See The History of the Holy Ghost Feast in a previous Post.

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Public Conversation on the Arts Hosted By Mayor Romeo Theken

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Thursday nights art’s conversation was well-attended. After the introduction and welcome speeches by Mayor Romeo Theken, Jack Clark, and Judith Hoglander the audience broke into small groups to answer three questions: 1.) What values or vision informs your thinking about the selection and placement of public art. 2.) What suggestions do you have for reaching out and including the community in the process? 3.) What criteria should we use in the selection and placement of public art? After which the audience reconvened to share the small group’s answers.

There was a shared vision and commonality in many of the responses. A strong desire for transparency throughout the entire process was stated often as was the position that our public art choices tell the story of Gloucester.

In our small group, Gloucester sculptor David Calvo shared the story of Maritime Gloucester’s humble beginnings and how it grew organically, with the full support of the community behind its development. There are a number of reasons why there is such a community-wide viscerally negative reaction to the proposed David Black sculpture and one of the solutions suggested was to put a policy in place which would allow the community to say no to an unwanted gift. Another suggestion was to identify places where we would like to see public art so that the community is not in the position of scrambling to place very large-scale works of art in very small parks.

A suggestion that resonated with many was that we investigate and learn from neighboring communities about their policies toward selecting and placing public art. The meeting was productive and we’ll be hearing more from the Mayor and Committee for the Arts in the coming weeks about Gloucester’s developing public arts plan. Mayor Sefatia Romeo Thekan Melissa Cox Gloucester ©Kim Smith 2015

Mayor Romeo Theken and City Councilwoman Melissa Cox

Big Block Party Survey – Tell the Mayor what you think!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken is looking for YOUR opinion regarding Gloucester’s Summer Block Parties.  One idea on the table is to close Main Street to vehicle traffic EVERY SATURDAY in July and August.

What do you think?  Please take the survey (CLICK HERE) and help shape the future of fun in downtown Gloucester this summer!

This survey closes next Wednesday, April 8th at 11pm — so please don’t wait.

Do it now!

Our Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Governor Charlie Baker

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin

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My friend Sefatia (Romeo Theken), Mayor of Gloucester, and Charlie (Baker), Governor of Massachusetts. The Governor is quite tall (6’6″), and is more handsome in person than on TV.  They’re posed in front of the Grand Staircase at the State House. I prefer not to shoot with a flash, but probably should have here for better sharpness. Sefatia wants a copy of this photo, which I’ve sent.