Tag: New England

POOR LITTLE BABY SEAL AT NILES BEACH

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

The little seal pup was seen today washed ashore at Niles Beach. He couldn’t have been more than three feet in length. From Maine to Massachusetts, more than six hundred dead or dying Gray and Harbor Seals have been reported this summer.

Two Humpback Whales washed ashore on Massachusetts beaches in a single day, one on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor and one on Revere Beach. The Revere Beach Humpback is the same whale that was spotted off Gloucester several weeks ago. Last week, two dead Minke Whales were found floating in the waters off Gloucester and Sea Bright, New Jersey. Another Minke Whale washed ashore in Rye, New Hampshire earlier this past week.

Seal Pup at Niles Beach

Read more about why the seals are dying here.

Two dead humpback whales wash up in Revere and near Boston Light

2016-2018 Humpback Whale Unusual Mortality Event along the Atlantic Coast

10 BEST FRIED CLAMS list from Yankee Mag New England today

Posted on by Catherine

A friend in New York just emailed me this link: 10 Best Fried Clams in New England, courtesy Yankee Magazine’s New England Today. A couple of local Cape Ann favorites made the list. The comment board is climbing fast. I have friends that swear by the Cupboard in Stage Fort Park and various restaurants in Gloucester, Rockport and Essex. Did yours make the 2018 list?

10 best fried clams 2018
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RAW SEWAGE SPILL INTO THE GREAT SALT MARSH

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

A sewer pipe in Essex broke over the weekend, spewing raw sewage into the Essex River Salt Marsh. I am so very sorry for our local clam diggers–just as the season was getting underway–devastating. The clam flats will be monitored, at a minimum, over the next 21 days before any determination about reopening will be made.

Essex River Clammers

About the Great Marsh

“In Massachusetts, the North Shore’s Great Marsh is the largest continuous stretch of Salt Marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Great Marsh includes over 20,000 acres of marsh, barrier beach, tidal river, estuary, mudflat, and upland islands extending across the Massachusetts North Shore from Gloucester to Salisbury. In recognition of these extraordinary resources, a portion of this area was designated by the state in 1979 as the Parker River/Essex Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The Great Marsh is an internationally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) as it contributes to the preservation of many breeding and migratory birds. This unique complex of natural systems add ecological, economic, recreational, and cultural value to our daily lives both on the coast and inland where land is connected by river and stream networks.” Read more about the Great Marsh Coalition here.

Life of Riley – Nor’easter storm #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

March 2, 2018. Riley so far (photos and 2min video low tide 8:30–11:15AM,the first high tide)

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Fishing boat returns to port March 2 2018 ahead of high tide

Continue reading “Life of Riley – Nor’easter storm #GloucesterMA” →

sea smoke, beach and coast | beauty after the storm

Posted on by Catherine

Off Good Harbor Beach Gloucester, MA

Gloucester MA after storm sea smoke on the water crisp wintry morning beauty of New England IMG_20180107_091407

First for me-With the low temperatures, a white rainbow arch of thin ice dressed the entire length of Long Beach at low tide.

Long Beach with arch of thin layer of ice low tide IMG_20180107_092723

Nice day for a 10K | Cape Ann Motor Inn booked

Posted on by Catherine

Cars streaming into Good Harbor Beach parking lot this morning for the annual Lone Gull 10K, voted 2016 Race of the Year from New  England Runner Magazine. 

Cape Ann Motor Inn was booked.

What a beautiful day for the race, and Essex National Heritage Trails & Sails weekends. Plan for next year!

cars streaming in for 2017 Sept 24 Lone Gull 10K

view from Cape Ann Motor Inn
sunrise Lone Gull 10K day-  view from Cape Ann Motor Inn
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Good Harbor Beach parking lot filling up fast like summer

Come to Seaview Farm and Support the Rockport Farmers Market!

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

The Gloucester Times ran a story last week about the Rockport Farmers Market and the Essex Farmers Market, and the difficulty of keeping volunteer-run markets going. Essex is taking a hiatus this year while they regroup. We hope you will support their efforts, as the more local food each community can bring to the people who live there, the better. The Rockport Farmers Market brings food to a village without a grocery store, while providing a chance for locals and visitors to hang out and catch up every Saturday morning. The market has become a crucial part of the local landscape; it’s success is this reason the volunteers, vendors, and patrons drag themselves out of bed on the weekends.

On Friday, June 23rd, the Rockport Farmers Market will celebrate the kickoff to the summer season, with Rockport Exchange (the organizers of the market) hosting a party and fundraiser at Seaview Farm. Music from Old Cold Tater, and beef sliders from Seaview, prepared by Relish Catering, along with delicious food & drink generously provided by Common Crow, StudioCrepe, Cake Ann, Westport Rivers Winery and more!

For this Friday’s event: a suggested donation of $35 supports the Rockport Farmers Market and helps keep it going in its mission in bringing local food to Rockport! Go to www.rockportexchange.org to reserve your spot, or click on the photo, below. See you there, and thanks!

Motif Monday New England architecture: religious conversion

Posted on by Catherine

So many titles! This Old Church. When a house of worship is a house. I wonder about the people and the history behind their unique architecture, and smile thinking about dedication and reverence. What were the maddening, fascinating and funny stories of the houseproud chapters?

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Continue reading “Motif Monday New England architecture: religious conversion” →

Review: Just ahead of its theater release, Hollywood premiere in Beverly for Manchester by the Sea

Posted on by Catherine

Meg Montagnino Jarrett introduced the movie, Manchester by the Sea, from the Cabot stage in Beverly, MA, this past Thursday evening, the first public screening in Massachusetts. Members of the audience worked on the film, and dignitaries such as Senator Bruce Tarr and Mayor Romeo Theken were invited. Montagnino Jarrett is a local film producer who worked on behalf of the MA Film office to bring these kinds of projects to the area and is the official liaison for Rockport and Gloucester. Manchester by the Sea is directed by Kenneth Lonergan who appears in a biting scene.

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Should you see it because of the setting? Yes.

I didn’t recognize this as being such a typical Massachusetts or even an American story. I registered quality and pathos– a modern day Greek tragedy so thoughtfully sculpted it will be understood across the globe, whether you’ve set one foot in this state or not.

You can however walk right home: the sense of place is rendered as carefully as an artist can, as much– or more –than the characters and script. Impressions of the gray and brown landscape long shots were so right. I thought about winter scenes by local artists, like Stoddard’s murals at Sawyer Free Public Library. Residents can tally scenes, wardrobe, and dialogue filled with local references to Cape Ann communities: the harbor, Ten Pound Island, Rose Marine, Seatronics, local New England homes, the ‘Edward Hopper’ Herrick Court staircase, Richdale mart, property alongside East Gloucester elementary, signs along Highway 128, Manchester Essex school, Willow Rest, hockey scenes and Viking posters. Don’t worry, unless you are the talented location scouts celebrating at this premiere– which they were, Cabot has a bar and snacks–audiences won’t find each and every recognition flicker with just one screening. There were far too many, and oft times veiled. Besides, if you possess a beating heart you will be squeezing your friend, looking away, or grabbing Kleenex at least a couple of times.

Does it deserve Oscar buzz? Yes.

Manchester by the Sea is a beautiful and searing movie.

The film is a meditation on grief, love, and life. You’ll find flaws. That’s subjective and feels real, too. It’s meticulously crafted and directed. Casey Affleck, Kyle Chandler and Michelle Williams are vivid; all of the cast and crew will be impacted by having been a part of the movie.  The movie will fuel your eyes and perspective while you watch, and hover around your thoughts and conversations days later. Walking away from the theater, I said American cinema verite. My mind wandered to more mood and art: crisp short stories; poetry; two films, House of Sand and Fog and In the Bedroom, not direct comparisons but as other powerful clutch ups. On the drive home we shared family stories and discussed edges of tragedy. Life and art can be devastating.

I made a mental list of movies that made me crumple beyond the pale. This one wasn’t exactly that for me, thankfully, as the lights came up quickly!  But it was memorable as all get out, and as art. Are there movies that have made you cry, yet you’d watch them again; or sad movies you haven’t forgotten?  I think this might be one for many viewers.

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Part II: more on the making of the film, locally 

Gloucester Cape Ann: history of fall art fairs and events

Posted on by Catherine

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October is gorgeous!  And it’s teeming with parallel exhibitions and cultural events. What an exciting environment to view and buy vital work from living artists and artisans– emerging, mid-career and established.

Founded in 2016-  Cape Ann Plein Air October 10-16– beginning next week!

Founded in 2015- Brace Cove 2nd Annual Art Market (one day only!) 1pm till dark.

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Founded in 2015 – Pumpkin Carving at Cape Ann Art Haven, October 29, 2016

Founded in 2012- Paint Essex annual Plein Air moved from summer to fall to coincide with Cape Ann Plein Air in 2016

Founded in 2009- the Annual DoctoberFest Documentary Film Festival curated by Cape Ann Cinema & Stage (estab.2008) runs Oct 14-20. Busy schedule includes  3D Flight of the Monarch Butterflies co-hosted with Kestrel Educational Adventures and Screenagers co-hosted with Sawyer Free and evenings with filmmakers.

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Founded in 1984- Annisquam Arts & Crafts show Oct 8 & Oct 9, 10-5

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Founded in 1984-  Annual Art Auction, Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library, held October 5, 2016. October book reading with Anna Solomon October 13, 2016

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Founded in 1983-  Cape Ann Artisans Studio Tour (the oldest in the country)- Oct 8 and 9th featured as part of Artweek Boston Sept 30-Oct 9

 

Founded in 1979- Gloucester Stage is world class professional American theater in our country’s oldest seaport. Premiering this month- Man in Snow, the newest play by Israel Horovitz through October 23rd. GMG Podcast

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Founded in 1873- Cape Ann Museum is a top notch American art museum. The must see exhibit Design/Build closes October 9th. Voicing the Woods- Jeremy Adams, Instrument Maker opens October 20. Recent Acquisitions continues into December.

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More scenes from October 2016 Annisquam Arts&Crafts fair, Annisquam Exchange, and Brace Cove Art Market and links to other fall happenings!

 

Founded in 2006- Cape Ann Farmers Market outdoor market Thursdays into October.

Founded in – Oktoberfest at Cape Ann Brewing Company

Founded in 1972- Annual Essex Clamfest October 22 (rain date Oct 23)

Founded in 2016- Look for Magnolia Sip and Stroll nights –  “Enjoy complimentary food, beverages and live music while visiting the wonderful shops on historic Lexington Avenue in Magnolia, MA” October 7th was the last one.

Founded in 2012- Fall Fest at Mile Marker 1 by Bridge Cape Ann October 4th. Look for this fun event next year!

Annual American Craft Week held in October

The list above gathers special events and festivals that run annually each October.  At the same time, look into the monthly art gallery exhibitions, live music, performances, and readings going on in the many art and culture venues as well as non-traditional spaces, businesses, organizations, accommodations, and restaurants. 

Fall ocean evening sky – Agnes Martin

Posted on by Catherine

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The next stop of the Agnes Martin retrospective will be the Guggenheim Museum, NYC, opening this week Oct 7- January 11, 2017. It’s the same show that was organized by and exhibited at Tate Modern, and just coming from Los Angeles- LACMA.

 

Harvestfest is SATURDAY! The Details on GMG

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

Harvestfest 2015 is here and the weather looks perfect and the schedule of events looks even better. Local food & drink will be on hand plus tons of things to do, from celebrating Rockport’s 175th birthday to hanging out and listening to some great live music. Harvestfest is organized by the nonprofit Rockport Exchange with the support of the Town of Rockport and a bunch of great local residents and business owners. We hope you join us for the fun!

Check it out and we’ll see you in downtown Rockport on Saturday to celebrate the best of New England in the fall! Scroll down for a Schedule of Events.

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Nothing Says “Fall in New England” like…

Posted on by Nichole S.

Want to get back at your children for whatever they’ve done wrong or failed to do when asked so far this season?  A little Doughnut Revenge is fun for all.

Nothing says, “Fall in New England” like being slapped in the face by a sugary doughnut.

 

Great Wolf Lodge…Pretty Great For Sure

Posted on by Nichole S.

We went way over the bridge this week and took a quick getaway to the brand new Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg.  Prior to the onslaught of some heavy duty advertising recently, you may not have heard of the Great Wolf Lodges, but I’d been hoping to get to one of their other locations for quite some time now for a short family vacation.  Last year I was psyched to hear that they were planning on building a lodge here in Massachusetts!

So, they opened in June and we booked during a promo offer back in March.  It did not disappoint.  The boys were psyched and even my husband made it through the 24 hours of Triple F (forced family fun….for those of you not in the know) unscathed….and happy.  We packed a cooler.

Because it is new…it is spotless.  They definitely pay attention to detail and they definitely cater to family fun.  From the wolf ears that they hand out upon check-in (that families oddly wear during their entire stay…ummm, but not us because we can’t pull off that type of crap off) to the “Have a Wolftastic Day” greeting that they offer even before you can drink a cup of morning coffee, to the door openers who never fail to beat you to the punch and are unbelievably eager to welcome you in and out of every single space with unwavering enthusiasm.  A vacation destination built for kids this is.  Cheesy sure.  But, a good cheesy, if this is the type of vacation that you went ahead and booked for your kids.  I, personally, wouldn’t have had it any other way.  Little Finn feel in love with Violet the Wolf and while Thatcher tried to be too cool for story and song time, I caught him singing along and doing the Wolf Lodge Howl with the best of them!

Our family suite overlooked the main lodge welcome area…which was odd and yet cool all at the same time.  The wrist bands that they give you upon check-in also serve as your room key….which, as a none-purse-carrying type of girl, I LOVED.  You could also just scan your wristband anywhere throughout the lodge and your purchases would simply get charged to your room. Bonus…albeit dangerous I suppose.  For the record…they don’t put those in the kids’ wristbands….that would be silly.

They have six pretty awesome water slides.  Four for kids 42″ and taller and two for anyone over 48″.  One is the the type where they put you in a little booth, count down from 5, and drop the floor out beneath you to propel you straight down into the unknown.  Crazy!  I, for the record, sat that one out. Fortunately, I can blame Finn as he was just a bit too short and someone “had” to stay with him.  My husband and Thatcher braved it eagerly….and loved it.

The lodge also has two water playgrounds, a pretty rad wave pool, a hot tub, a small lazy river, water basketball, an excellent ropes course high up in the air, some little mall-type rides, mini golf, a Magi Quest interactive game to be played throughout your stay, a 6D little movie theater ride, a super fun arcade (and I don’t normally love arcades so that’s saying something), a restaurant, a cafe, a Dunkin’ Donuts, an ice cream joint, a little day spa for the girls, and more!

Pretty cool too is that, while check-in is @ 4:00, they allow you to use the water park beginning at 1:00.  Even more cool is that, while check out is 11:00 a.m., they allow you to use the water park all the way up to closing (9:00 p.m.) that day.  They have lockers and showers so that once you put your luggage in the car you can still enjoy some fun, shower, change, and get ready for the ride home.  That being the case, if you live close enough, one night is a good enough stay.  More than two nights, in my humble opinion, would be too long.

Good, clean, family fun less than two hours from Cape Ann.  I’m guessing that come the long and abyssmal winter months this place will be jammin’!

See the Great Wolf Lodge

Stone Wolf at entrance
Violet
View from our room
The stage offers shows several times daily…under our window
Story Time
The arcade
Main Lodge Living Room
Ropes Course
Ropes Course
The Howlin’ Tornado
Great Wolf Lodge
Fort MacKenzie
One side of the water park
Totem Towers
Crooked Creek
Chinook Cove Activity Pool
Alberta Falls: Dark Side and Light Side
Otter Run
Big Foot Pass
Slap Tail Pond Wave Pool
The Wolf Tail Drop
The Howlin’ Tornado
Carrying the tubes up, up, up
River Canyon Run
Wolf Tail
Slap Tail Pond Wave Pool

 

Today! The Eastern Coyote in New England Sponsored by Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Sat, Jan 11, 2014

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I hope Kim Or Paul or both go to this and get some interesting info to share.

This is what I know about coyotes:
If there was a child attacked by a coyote the news media would blast it all over the place but you don’t hear about those incidents so that gives me a little comfort.

On the other hand if you have a pulse and can see then you have most definitely seen an uptick from no coyote sightings 10 years ago to weekly sightings today.

I understand there are people who would rather see people’s pets eaten rather than take some type of action. I just hope that the current trends of seeing them more and more during the day and seeing them more often doesn’t end up turn into something where people can’t even go for a walk.

Maybe the answer is to walk around with a tazer? “Don’t taze me bro!”


The Eastern Coyote in New England
Sponsored by Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Sat, Jan 11, 2014 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
Instructor:

Christine Schadler – Wild Canid Ecologist and New England representative for Project Coyote, a national group promoting coexistence with coyotes.
Audience:

Adult
Members:

Adult $8.00
Nonmembers:

Adult $10.00
The howling in New England has returned! Since 1900, when the eastern wolf retreated into southern Ontario, our woods have not known a top predator. Since the 1940s, however, the bark and howl of the eastern coyote has resonated from pasture to mountain. Today, thousands of coyotes occupy New England, but unlike their smaller western cousin, our coyotes are part wolf, can hunt in packs to take deer, and are filling the niche of the wolf. Come learn about the natural history of this adaptable mammal and get answers to any questions or concerns you may have from an expert. How we rethink our woods as a domain to be shared will ultimately determine our success in adapting to life with this amazing predator.

Make it a day – bring a bag lunch and sign up for Tracking Predators with Bob Metcalfe in the afternoon from 12:30-4:30 pm.

Instructions and Directions:

Meets in the Barn.
Registration is required.
Call to register 978-887-9264.
Register by mail: program registration form (PDF 66K)

For your own security, DO NOT send credit card information via email.
For more information, contact:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
87 Perkins Row
Topsfield, MA 01983
ipswichriver@massaudubon.org

Who’s Who in New England’s Fisheries

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Caleb Gilbert forwards-

I hope all’s well Joey…  I’m a dad!  Just got back to the office and ran across this little video that was getting sent around..  Thought you might like checking it out if you haven’t seen it yet…  Kind of a cool little general overview of fisheries…

Congrats Caleb!!!

Chickity Check It! The Daily Bird New England submitted By Jan Howarth

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Hello, Joey,

I look forward to your blog every morning — thanks so much for all your hard work!

A while back, two people posted photos of hawks and asked for help in identifying them. Then I saw a hawk in my own front yard, and I became really curious. After a little Internet searching, I found a blog by a fellow called Alexander Dunn: The Daily Bird (a seasonal site for watchers of New England birds). It’s a great site! (http://thedailybirdnewengland.blogspot.com)

I e-mailed the photos to him, and asked for his opinion. Here it is (along with two links to pages on his site that feature the birds he mentions)!

Hi Jan,

I’m glad you found my site and have enjoyed reading it. I took a look at the photos you sent and the first image is that of an immature red-tailed hawk. Image 2 is  bit harder to tell but I think you have either an immature sharp-shinned hawk or a cooper’s hawk. They are similar in appearance but differ in size so without context it’s hard to tell. For more on both of these species you can view my website:

http://thedailybirdnewengland.blogspot.com/2011/01/red-tailed-hawk-john-wayne-central-park.html

http://thedailybirdnewengland.blogspot.com/2011/03/coopers-hawk-other-hawk.html

The "first image" Alexander refers to is the one I’ve attached with the large picture and all the little ones. "Image 2" is the bird sitting on the railing. Alexander does note on his site that a sharp-shinned hawk is about the size of a blue jay, so that might help identify the visitor. A Cooper’s hawk is roughly the size of a crow.

So, what have I learned from all this? That I need lots more practice!

Thanks so much,

Jan Howarth