Half Moon Beach Stage Fort Park Pic From Donna Ardizzoni

 

 

While You Were Sleeping

Stage Fort Sunrise 01.17.2010
Stage Fort Sunrise 01.17.2010
Stage Fort Sunrise 01.17.2010

Gloucester Classic- The Cupboard

Gloucester Classic- The Cupboard, originally uploaded by captjoe06.

Here are Grover and Cindy, long time owners of The Cupboard at Stage Fort Park.   My grandparents Joe and Felicia Ciaramitaro (The Captain Joe) lived up the hill from The Cupboard on Tolman Ave.

Both of my grandfather’s names were Joe Ciaramitaro.  One, Captain Joe who started Captain Joe and Sons with my father and uncle and the other- Joe Popcorn who owned Pat’s Center Grocery which started in the location where Sclafani’s is and then moved across the street to the location where the plaza housing Tedesci’s Market and Yama Wok are currently.

Grandma Felicia (although I never called her Grandma Felicia, it was always Grandma with the wharf) would go down to Stage Fort Park and knit with her sisters under one of the trees.  She’d walk down the bottom of the hill behind The Cupboard with her knitting bag and they would kabbitz and knit.

I remember way back then what a treat it was to go down to The Cupboard after ball games or when we would all go down as a family and eat on the benches outside, always finishing up with ice cream.  Some things are traditions and even though Cindy and Grover are not from Gloucester, you’d be hard pressed to say that there are  many more people woven into the fabric of  Gloucester memories over the years.

An imprint in my mind from yesteryear is the mural of Mother Hubbard hanging on the wall behind the counter.   It’s been there as long as I can remember and I wanted to be sure to take a picture of it.  The signature in the bottom right reads “Franklyn Hamilton”

Neptune’s Harvest- At Stage Fort Park!

While I was shooting the motorcycle run, I noticed this little postage stamp garden up near the visitor center. Amazing!

Neptune’s Harvest is a by-product of Ocean Crest Seafoods down in the Fort. I’ve used the stuff and things grow like crazy!

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The Pirates are Coming! The Pirates are Coming!

NEPF_Charge

Stage Fort Park in historic Gloucester, MA will host Pastimes’ annual piratical production. The two-day event will be held on June 20 and June 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and guests with a military ID, and $8 for children 4-12. If Joey wears the Puffy Shirt, we’ll pay his admission fee!

On Hour At A Time Gang-Stage Fort Park Clean Up

From Donna Ardizzone-

Hi All:

Hope everyone had a great weekend.    Since summer is officially started I thought Stage Fort Park and beach would be a good place to start.

Saturday:  May 30, 2009

Stage Fort Park

8:00 Am

Meet At The Visitor’s Center

Note to those thinking about going.  This will be a great time to pop in and check out the renovations at The Visitor’s Center.

NEW ENGLAND PIRATE FAIRE COMES TO GLOUCESTER

Click the picture for more photos
Click the picture for more photos

Pirates and buccaneers to raid Stage Fort Park June 20 – June 21

GLOUCESTER – Pastimes Entertainment has announced that their 6th annual pirate festival will take place in Gloucester this year at Stage Fort Park during June 20-21.

The New England Pirate Faire has moved to America’s Oldest Seaport to take advantage of the historical significance of Gloucester, as well as to enjoy the oceanfront view afforded by Stage Fort Park.

The annual production debuted in 2004 and has been held every year since in Salem.

Pastimes’ Creative Director David Stickney said the production’s move to Gloucester will fulfill a long term goal for the company.

“Wherever you are at Stage Fort Park, you can see the ocean. The realistic cannons at the park, the picturesque setting and the historical relevance of the park offers us the perfect backdrop for a pirate and sea-faring festival,” Stickney said.

Additionally, the move allows the company to expand the faire, which will feature over a cast of over 100 actors and musicians. The festival will also host the “Tortuga Marketplace” for vendors offering pirate clothing, prop weapons, accessories, jewelry, food, refreshments, and more.

The show will feature a scripted daylong storyline with several interactive scenes with characters drawn from literature and a different time.

The two-day event will be held on June 20 and June 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and guests with a military ID and $8 for children 4-12.

Stickney is working with Linn Parisi, owner of Over the Bridge Tours of Cape Ann in order to facilitate a citywide celebration of all things pirate.

“I’m thrilled for our City that The New England Pirate Faire wants to call Gloucester its home. Stage Fort Park is a fabulous venue for pirates young and old to enjoy a weekend of family fun. Plans are in the works for Pirate Faire themed activities on land and sea to please landlubbers, scalliwags and privateers!” Parisi said.

Pastimes, an interactive theater production company based in Revere, has been producing

festivals and faires in the Boston area for over 15 years, including the Castle of the Damned held annually at the Hammond Castle in Gloucester.

“We believe this event will be a great draw to the city of Gloucester, and we appreciate the support of local businesses and residents who wish to help support the faire,” Stickney added.

Any businesses interested in vending or sponsoring portions of the festival are encouraged to contact Stickney at 781-346-1028

Gloucester Visitors Welcoming Center At Stage Fort Park

At 8AM you’ll get the first glimpse inside the Visitors Welcome Center which is currently undergoing a renovation.

Gloucester Visitors Welcoming Center At Stage Fort Park

Ron Garry, his wife Alina, Laura Dow, Ron Gilson and others have been working non stop for three weeks scraping, painting and getting the Visitors Center at Stage Fort Park back in shape.  The City budget cuts had axed the tourism department and these concerned citizens and great eggs have donated their time and in some cases money to keep this place going and make it better than it ever was.  We owe them a great debt of gratitude for doing so much for our city.

Look for the first part of our video tour inside tomorrow at 8AM.  You knew I’d get you in first didn’t ya?

Where Zat? Answer!

hmbOkay…Can you tell now? CapeAnnPainter (Nice goin’ Paul!) got it first. I love that little boat!