Also, a classic Winslow Homer painting, Weatherbeaten, 1894, from the Portland Museum of Art, Maine, is featured on the cover of the Arts section as part of this review by Murray Whyte. “Mythmakers: The Art of Winslow Homer and Frederick Remington” is up through the end of November.
Emily Levin at Essex National Heritage in Salem, MA, where she has directed marketing and events like Trails & Sails for nine years. The original painting commissioned for Essex National Heritage 10th anniversary (2006) was created by local Ipswich folk artist, Julia Purinton. It’s one of three landscapes: Seacoast ; Conservation Lands and Merrimack Valley (Industry)
Emily Levin of Essex National Heritage has directed Trails & Sails for 9 years and seen its growth. Levin told me that 2017 is “one of the largest line ups of different events coming together to showcase the region’s best places in the area. The historic road is already right there. Plus you can stop in all the wonderful restaurants and shops.” The Essex National Heritage headquarters moved to 10 Federal in downtown Salem, next to most anyplace on your visit. I’ll miss steady and affable Bill Steelman who has moved on from Essex National Heritage. Congratulations to Kate Day, Danvers former Town Manager, who has joined to lead the Scenic Byway efforts.
is Essex National Heritage’s Essex County pep rally- annual back to back weekends packed with 150+ FREE, fun, and family friendly events. Here’s the working list of the 2017 Trails & Sails events in GloucesterSeptember 15-17th and September 22-24th. Don’t forget to sign in! The count helps your favorite organization and locale, and you might win a prize like $150 from Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Talking Walls of Gloucester Gloucester’s renowned Works Projects Administration (WPA era) murals. Hosted at City Hall byThe City of Gloucester and Gloucester Committee for the Arts
September 23 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM open for self guided tour September 23 1:00 PM guided talk and tour
co founder of the new Woman Owned Businesses Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway trail map celebrating street level, local women retailers from Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich and Rowley who share a regional ‘Main Street’ – Route 133/1A, part of the gorgeous 90 mile Essex Coastal Scenic Byway. Several planned events for Trails and Sails.
September 16 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
September 23 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
L-R and # on the Woman Owned Businesses Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway map: #2 Shelly Nicastro, #8 Anne Thomas and next to her one of the dealers in her shop, Connie, #4 Katrina Haskell, #5 Johanne Cassia, #1 Pauline Bresnahan, #6 Ann Orcutt, #3 Georgeanne Richards, Missing from photo #7 Lorin Hesse and #9 Cathy Reardon
Paul Cary Goldberg will be giving a short talk at 1pm on Saturday September 16th at Jane Deering Gallery, 19 Pleasant Street, about his photograph series, Here Still, fitting visit during Thoreau and #TrailsAndSails celebrations
North Shore Magazine October issue. The Greening of Gloucester illustration is by Julie McLaughlin.
“Greening of Gloucester: This seacoast town is recognized as one of the leading clean energy communities in the state. ” By Sarah Shemkus
“Enlightened Italian- Chef Anthony Caturano has a boat moored in Gloucester Harbor named Tonno-– Italian for tuna. So it’s not surprise that when the talented Boston chef opted to open a second seafood restaurant focused on coastal Italian cuisine, Gloucester was on his mind.” Tonno Restaurant review by Jeanne O’Brien Coffey
“Gilded Age: The new Beauport Hotel recalls the glamour of old-school seaside resorts.” by Jeanne O’Brien Coffey
“Celebrating Preservation: One woman honors the Trustees of Reservations’ 125th anniversary through her personal story of the organization” by Victoria Abbott Riccardi. Her father was its executive director from 1966-84. Ravenswood Park was the 77th property, added in 1993. The Trustees second acquisition, Mount Ann Park Gloucester, happened in 1897. Magnolia Shore was acquired in 1936 but deeded back to Gloucester in 1959. Two stories to look into there.
Last night about 60 people enjoyed a Solstice Stroll through Ravenswood Park. The walk began as the sun was setting and a light snow was falling. Led by Ramona Latham and volunteers of the Trustees of Reservations, the crowd learned about the history of Ravenswood, its animal life, and the meaning of the winter solstice. Flashlights were discouraged even as it grew darker, but Ramona provided makeshift “candles in cans” to light the way. After the walk, the crowd enjoyed hot cocoa and s’mores by a campfire. What a peaceful and beautiful way to mark the weekend of the “shortest day” of the year. Enjoy the pics of Ravenswood at night, especially the pic of the fog creeping in, it’s a bit mysterious but beautiful.
GloucesterCast With Host Joey Ciaramitaro and Guest Donna Ardizzoni Taped April 29th 2013
Click to listen-
Topics Include: Kim Smith, Moving To Gloucester, Good Harbor vs Wingaersheek, One Hour at a Time Gang, Best Outside Deck To Dine, Favorite Community Events, Block Parties, Celebrate Gloucester, Schooner Festival, Ravenswood vs Halibut Point Park, Kayaking Gloucester, Staying Positive
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In view of the weather in store for us tomorrow, I submit to you: Ravenswood, Gloucester, 1920. Many of us have hiked, skied, and photographed on this public property. Gloucester photographer Alice M. Curtis took this photo and others in Ravenswood. One is of a cross-country skier in action. I’m saving that one for the snowstorm that drops enough on us to ski there.
Ravenswood is a fairly easy place to cross-country. There is limited parking, but folks park on the side of Route 127. Whether you CC or not, it’s a great spot to take photos in any season. Sorry, but I forgot to mention snow shoeing, which I have not done yet, but definitely want to try. It is owned and managed by the Trustees of Reservations. When you’re done and hungry, come to downtown Gloucester to say "hi" to me and I’ll recommend the perfect restaurant(s) to you. Here’s the map:http://www.thetrustees.org/assets/documents/places-to-visit/trailmaps/Ravenswood-Park-Trail-Map.pdf
We had a nice walk through Ravenswood Park this past Sunday, and even though it was pretty wet, we still had a great time! We were fortunate enough to see the barred owlet perched on the edge of the tree he temporarily calls home. When I scoped the trees with my telephoto lens, I saw the mother owl in the next tree over keeping a close watch! In the wider shot, you can see the mother blurred in the background near the left edge of the photo, and the owlet on the right edge.
Ramona Latham, Ravenswood’s Program Director, seems to think he’s getting ready to spread his wings! When he does, he’ll leave the nest and head deeper into the woods.
Last Sunday I received a call from Ramona Latham at the Cape Ann Discovery Center (Ravenswood). She told me that a Barred Owl had set up a nest for her babies in one of the treetops. While I was snapping photos of the baby owls, the Mama* owl stopped by with lunch for her children. A nice plump snake! I have never seen an owl in real life, so this bit of luck was a special treat. Some quick facts about the barred owl:
· Commonly referred to as a “Hoot Owl.” Listen to its call here: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/Song/h3680so.mp3 · A Barred Owl’s wingspan can reach 44 inches. · They typically hunt at night or at dusk by sitting on a high perch, looking and listening for prey, which they catch with a short flight or drop to the ground. · Adult Barred Owls swallow their prey whole. Their stomach acids digest the soft parts, and then they regurgitate a pellet containing the bones and hair. · Barred Owls sometimes go fishing. They will wade knee-deep in water and catch fish with their feet. · Barred Owls generally live alone except when mating or raising young, and are known to find the same mate every year.
Thanks to Ramona for her phone call. If you want to visit the Discovery Center or Ravenswood, click here for more info: http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/northeast-ma/ravenswood-park.html. Ramona runs a variety of fun and educational programs for children and adults throughout the year. Don’t miss out!
*This owl may have been the Papa owl too, no disrespect intended! J
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My son and I took a walk through The Trustees of Reservations’ Ravenswood Park today and we came across this woodpecker that was eating the snow. I thought it was pretty funny because I’ve never seen this behavior from a bird, but it makes better sense than having to fly to the nearest water supply to have a drink!
What to do on a rainy Sunday in Gloucester?? A Walk in Ravenswood! Last Sunday was rainy and grey, making the woods in Ravenswood even more magical!
Candace White of the Trustees of Reservations was a wealth of knowledge, taking us back in time pointing out old cellar holes, stone walls, the story of ‘the hermit’ of the woods. Candace related the history of Gloucester Harbor and its transition from a farming community to a fishing community. Old stone walls marking homesteads, each allowed to cut 20 cord of wood to heat their home for the winter. You could almost smell the fires burning in the hearths and hear the sound of horses trotting, wheels rolling as carriages carried folks in their Sunday finest along the stately paths.
Senses were aroused by the smell of damp leaves, bark, and pine. A kaleidoscope of shades of green with moss, fern, and stands of oak. Mountain laurel in bloom, chickadee singing and bubbling brooks lent to a sense of a ‘walking meditation.’ Lady slippers reminded many of their childhood, it was a most memorable walk and FUN for the whole family! The Nature Center had the start of the trail is a great place to visit. And even GMG was there to represent! No matter the weather, there’s always something fun to do in Glosta!
Here’s a picture of the Magnolia Swamp Boardwalk in Ravenswood Park that was mentioned on your 2nd podcast this week. This property is now owned and maintained by the Trustees of Reservations. I took this picture last year on April 7th , 2010. I remember it was a really warm day for the season (a record at 88°F).
This board walk is pretty sturdy (the boards are roughly 3” thick), sits about 8” above the surface of the swamp, and gives a great vantage point for spotting frogs eggs and watching swamp critters. It runs somewhere between 500 to 600 feet across the swamp. You have to cross another board walk further up the trail to get back across the swamp.
This is a great walk through the woods any time of the year, but in the early Spring there are no bugs yet, and you have a better chance of seeing other animals through the woods due to the lack of foliage. The trail that leads to the boardwalk is a fun little adventure, with one or two neat surprises on the way. At least it was for my two year old son, who was with me that day. The trail on the other side is pretty cool, too, with a lot of interesting things to see. In some spots the path narrows and winds along the edge of the swamp. It kind of feels like you’re walking in a scene from the Lord of the Rings, and you’re half expecting to see a Hobbit poking along the trail ahead of you.
It’s definitely worth a visit when the weather breaks.
