Tag: Rockport

Step by step instructions on how to find the current Rockport flood zone maps as well as the "new", proposed maps

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

From Kenny MacCarthy

Gloucester Maps in the next installment

Rockport’s Shop Local Week Dec 15–Dec 22

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey C & GMG Readers!
Rockport’s Downtown Merchants Group would like to invite their Cape Ann neighbors and friends to shop locally this holiday season, and have designated a full week in December as Shop Local Week.  From Sunday, December 15 through Sunday, December 22, treat yourself and your family to the delightful experience of holiday season shopping amidst the Christmas tree lined streets and beautifully decorated shops of Rockport!
We hope to see you in Downtown Rockport!
Happy Holidays,
Dawn Noble
Rockport’s Downtown Merchants Group

ShopLocal2013

A Different View of Cape Ann Tool

Posted on by Lowell Peabody

From some shots I took last summer I have been putting this together. A montage of sorts. As you look at it, there appears more than just rusty relics of buildings, but also Pigeon Cove and the granite breakwater. Thought I’d share this different view.

Cape Ann Tool
Cape Ann Tool

Come Snow or Balmy Weather~Don’t Park in Rockport Overnight

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Here's a head's up. Although the weather isn't bad (yet), The Town of Rockport has a winter parking ban in effect after 12 midnight tonight. From the GDT: "Beginning Nov. 15, through April 1, 2014, the annual winter parking ban will be in effect between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. On-street parking is prohibited during this time. Parking will be allowed in these areas: the perimeter of the resident parking lot adjacent to Town Hall, Back Beach at the metered parking spots in front of the restrooms, and T-Wharf. Call the DPW office at 978-546-3525 or the Rockport Police Department at 978-546-1212." This violation will cost you $25.
Here’s a head’s up. Although the weather isn’t bad (yet), The Town of Rockport has a winter parking ban in effect after 12 midnight tonight. From the GDT: “Beginning Nov. 15, through April 1, 2014, the annual winter parking ban will be in effect between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. On-street parking is prohibited during this time. Parking will be allowed in these areas: the perimeter of the resident parking lot adjacent to Town Hall, Back Beach at the metered parking spots in front of the restrooms, and T-Wharf. Call the DPW office at 978-546-3525 or the Rockport Police Department at 978-546-1212.” This parking violation will cost you $25. BTW, this photo is of Main Street in Gloucester.

Monkey Bread!

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Monkey Bread! I didn't know about Monkey Bread until I started going to GMG Sunday morning Mug-Ups. Last Saturday Janet hosted a family birthday party. Our friend Nanette Benoit brought her homemade Monkey bread. I tried a small piece, and it was the best! She told me it took her hours to make. She also said she wants to bring Monkey Bread to the next GMG event. I'd say she's in! Stay tuned.
Monkey Bread! I didn’t know about Monkey Bread until I started going to GMG Sunday morning Mug-Ups. Last Saturday Janet hosted a family birthday party. Our friend Nanette Benoit brought her homemade Monkey bread. I tried a small piece, and it was the best! She told me it took her hours to make. She also said she wants to bring Monkey Bread to the next GMG event. I’d say she’s in! Stay tuned.

Africa 01966 USA?

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Janet and I occasionally walk up Phillips Avenue, and have enjoyed a little park along the way. We'd sit on the ledge or a bench to enjoy the view. There were no sculptures or signs then, so we thought it was public. Now we know it's private, but not clearly not connected to a nearby house. Your thoughts?
Janet and I occasionally walk up Phillips Avenue, and have enjoyed a little park along the way. We’d sit on the ledge or a bench to enjoy the view. There were no sculptures or signs then, so we thought it was public. Now we know it’s private, but clearly not connected to a nearby house. Your thoughts?
There are all sorts of wild African animals in this little park, including some monkeys and people. Perhaps Marty and Barbara Luster can help us identify them.
There are all sorts of wild African animals in this little park, including some monkeys and people. Perhaps Marty and Barbara Luster can help us identify them.
These are more of the amazing granite sculptures. Does anyone know the story behind them? Let us know.
These are more of the amazing granite sculptures. Does anyone know the story behind them? Let us know.

The Dry Salvages

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
The Dry Salvages off Rockport had caught yet another victim - the F/V Racketeer. Despite the best efforts of salvage companies and the USCG, the Racketeer was taken off the rocks and claimed by the sea. This was unusual weather, and the captain of the whale watch boat warned passengers not to touch the metal railings because of lightning. A famous poem was written in 1941 by Gloucester's TS Eliot about the Dry Salvages. He's very difficult to read and understand. But here's what his poem means to me: "In life, we'll all run aground sooner or later. Let's do right by our fellow human beings while we can, before the Salvages claim us too."
The Dry Salvages off Rockport had caught yet another victim – the F/V Racketeer. Despite the best efforts of salvage companies and the USCG, the Racketeer was taken off the rocks and claimed by the sea a year later. This was unusual weather, and the captain of the whale watch boat warned passengers not to touch the metal railings because of lightning.
A famous poem was written in 1941 by Gloucester’s TS Eliot about the Dry Salvages. He’s very difficult to read and understand. But here’s what his poem means to me: “In life, we’ll all run aground sooner or later. Let’s do right by our fellow human beings while we can, before the Salvages claim us too.”

Inside the Babson Cooperage, 1935

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
This is the interior of the Babson Cooperage in July of 1935. Looking at the household implements, you wonder what some of them were used for. I believe this was part of the original Babson House, the kitchen.
This is the interior of the Babson Cooperage in July of 1935. Looking at the household implements from the 1600’s, you wonder what some of them were used for. I believe this was part of the original Babson House, the kitchen.

Babson Cooperage, Dogtown, 1935

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Built in 1658, the Babson Cooperage is considered to be the first factory on Cape Ann. James Babson made barrels that were filled with fish and shipped to England, and other places around the world. I think the plaque tells it all: JAMES BABSON FARM “GRANTED BY SPECIAL TOWN ACT DECEMBER 23, 1658 JAMES AND HIS MOTHER, ISABEL, WERE THE FIRST BABSONS TO REACH AMERICA, ARRIVING IN 1632. JAMES’ FATHER DIED ON SHIPBOARD WHILE CROSSING. TOWN RECORDS SHOW THAT ISABEL WAS A VERY ACTIVE KINDLY AND BELOVED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY. SHE DIED IN 1661. JAMES WAS A COOPER WHO MADE BARRELS, ETC. FROM LUMBER OBTAINED FROM THE ADJOINING MILL ON CAPE POND BROOK. HE MARRIED ELINOR HILL AND THEY HAD TEN CHILDREN. HE DIED IN 1683.” You can still go to this place for free: Open July – August Tuesday – Sunday 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (978) 546-2958 http://babsonhistorical.org/babson-museum/
Built in 1658, the Babson Cooperage is considered to be the first factory on Cape Ann. James Babson made barrels that were filled with fish and shipped to England, and other places around the world. I think the plaque tells it all:
JAMES BABSON FARM
“GRANTED BY SPECIAL TOWN ACT DECEMBER 23, 1658
JAMES AND HIS MOTHER, ISABEL, WERE THE FIRST BABSONS TO REACH AMERICA, ARRIVING IN 1632. JAMES’ FATHER DIED ON SHIPBOARD WHILE CROSSING.
TOWN RECORDS SHOW THAT ISABEL WAS A VERY ACTIVE KINDLY AND BELOVED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY. SHE DIED IN 1661. JAMES WAS A COOPER WHO MADE BARRELS, ETC. FROM LUMBER OBTAINED FROM THE ADJOINING MILL ON CAPE POND BROOK. HE MARRIED ELINOR HILL AND THEY HAD TEN CHILDREN. HE DIED IN 1683.”
You can still go to this place for free: Open July – August
Tuesday – Sunday 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (978) 546-2958 http://babsonhistorical.org/babson-museum/

Found on the Hard Drive Plein Air Painting 2007

Posted on by capeannpainter

Found on the Hard Drive Plein Air Painting 2007

Randy from Florida put out a call on the message board “Wetcanvas” back in 2007 to find someone to paint with in New England. His Daughter was invited to take a class at Harvard so he would have some time on his hands to paint.

I invited him to Gloucester to go painting. We ended up at Loblolly Cove in Rockport. We had a good time painting the area. Randy painted some Houses on his right and I painted Straitsmouth Island when a red lobster boat came just in time to be part of my painting.

I sold my painting at EJ’s Gallery a couple of years ago.

I love painting outside but I try to find a place where there’s low people traffic. I’m a little shy when it comes to painting outside. We had a great day and the Rockport Police only charged me $25.00 to park. 🙂

IMG_0105

They’re Here!

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
A pro team pulled up, just as I was cooking dinner. Of course I had to go investigate. Lots of different languages being spoken. I should have given them a tour of the Crow's Nest.
A pro team pulled up, just as I was cooking dinner. Of course I had to go investigate. Lots of different languages being spoken. I should have given them a tour of the Crow’s Nest.

It really did look like this.

Posted on by paultmorrison
Monday September 16, 2013; 6:13AM (sunrise in ten minutes).
Monday September 16, 2013; 6:13AM (sunrise in ten minutes). iPhone 5, 3.9 ounces.

“F” Wicked Tuna!!

Posted on by capeannpainter

“F” Wicked Tuna!

THEY GOT NOTHING ON US!

Joey setting up the Walnut Cam (if you can’t beat’em, join’em)

DSC07425

Art Longwood Books

Posted on by Matthew Green

The other day I was walking in Rockport on my way to photograph a couple of second-hand stores for my ongoing series, and to my surprise, I discovered two more stores to add to my list!

The first one, which I will profile today, is Art Longwood Books (33 Broadway #3), which specializes in “used books in art, design, and other subjects.” Although they specialize in books on the visual arts, they are buying in all subjects. The business originally opened in Cambridge, MA in 2003 and moved to Rockport in May of this year.  It will be open year-round, Thursday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12-5 (Monday and Tuesday by appointment). The store isn’t not really obvious from the road, but there is a sign in front of the house (see photo above) behind which the actual store is found:

The interior is a cozy space, a sort of bibliophile’s dream hideout:

 

Jeffrey Postel and Sadie Dudley are the couple who run the store.  Although they only moved to Rockport relatively recently, they have had connections in the are for a long time, including a business relationship with fellow seller of used books Bob Ritchie of Dogtown Books (profiled earlier in this series).

The other store which I discovered that day was Main and Pier, an antique store that I will cover in the next post in this series!

– Matthew Green

 

Sea Again New & Consigned Fashion & Accessories

Posted on by Matthew Green

Discovering stores that specialize in second-hand items in the Gloucester-Rockport area has been an adventure, and I keep discovering more! Often I’ll go to one store, and they’ll refer me to another. Unfortunately some also have closed since I started this series of posts – “Stuff” on Main Street is gone, and “Junque and Disorderly” on Washington Street is in its last days.

When I visited Bub’s Tool Consignment I found out that the owner’s wife, Joelle Williams, also has a consignment store. Her store, Sea Again, is in Rockport (14 Dock Square) and focuses on women’s clothes and accessories, including both consignment and new items.

The store is open year-round, although the hours vary somewhat according to the season. The best place to check for updated hours is their Facebook page or their website.

Besides the consignment clothes, they sell new clothes and new Italian Sterling silver and crystal jewelry.

The sign out front isn’t very big, but the building (photo at right) is very distinctive if you know what you are looking for!

Here are a few more photos I took during my visit:

Joelle Williams

– Matthew Green

Here are the previous posts in this series on second-hand stores (thrift, consignment, antique, etc.) in alphabetical order:

  1. Bananas
  2. Bub’s Tool Consignment
  3. Bullseye Books and Flyboys
  4. Cape Ann Thrift Shop
  5. Dogtown Book Shop
  6. The Dress Code
  7. The Eco Boutique
  8. Gabriel’s Antiques
  9. Junque & Disorderly
  10. Main Street Arts and Antiques
  11. Mystery Train Records
  12. The Past Present Shoppe
  13. Pearl’s
  14. St. John’s Thrift Shop
  15. Scout Vintage Finds
  16. Sea Again
  17. Second Glance
  18. The Sequined Fan
  19. StudioVo
  20. Vintage 211

We still have more to go in no particular order. (I have visited several of them already. I hope to get the rest before I go on another trip…)

  1. Annisquam Exchange
  2. St. Vincent de Paul Society
  3. Thrift Shop at the UU Society of Rockport
  4. Mary Rose Vintage Design
  5. Kalypso’s Gifts and Antiques (is this still alive? It’s physically still there but always closed)
  6. Art Longwood Books
  7. Main & Pier

Bullseye Books in Rockport: Second Hand Stores series continues

Posted on by Matthew Green

I keep discovering more and more second hand stores on this side of the bridge! One that had escaped my original list (which I have still not exhausted) was Bullseye Books in Rockport (25 Main Street). I stopped in the other day while showing a friend around town.

_Bullseye books façadeThey specialize in used books, but also have other vintage ephemera and other items, including “Flyboys” Scarves.

It’s near the Toad Hall bookstore too, so if you are out looking for books old and new, you can visit both in one trip. Not to mention Art Longwood Books, a new store for used books – especially art books – on Broadway in Rockport, in walking distance of Bullseye and Toad Hall. But that’s material for another post… as my series on second-hand stores continues!

– Matthew Green

Blue Shark Off Gloucester/Rockport Video

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 

Kellen O’Maley shares with Good Morning Gloucester

We hooked up on a few Blue sharks this past week about 10 miles off of Rockport. Although we were in search of Bluefin Tuna, the sharks brought some excitement as Tuna fishing can become quite boring. Here is a clip of one of the sharks as it neared the boat and eventually snapped off to swim free (it looks better if you change the setting to HD720). The good news is there is plenty of feed out on the banks to keep these guys away from Good Harbor Beach! This same day we also heard Dave Jewell of http://ladyjfishingcharters.com  hooked up on a bigger Blue shark that looked to be over 350 lbs! 

Kellen

http://www.cbcharters.com