Eloise and Madeline Send Monarch to Mexico
The Ciaramitaro family graciously agreed to pose for me for a video project. On the way to the beach to film, the girls stopped by our home to give a send off to a newly eclosed male Monarch, our last butterfly of the season to emerge from its chrysalis. Farewell Monarch ~ Safe Journey to Mexico!
Thank you Ciaramitaros!
Thank you Robert Newman for hosting the beautiful Liv Ullmann. She spoke before a rapt audience about her life and times with Ingmar Bergman and of her current projects.
Liv Ullmann and fan
Directing, acting, and screenwriting, her commitment to and joy in all she does was apparent. It was inspiring to know that, although she could easily rest upon her past accomplishments, she does all she does, and with such integrity. Liv’s husband Donald has been summering in Gloucester for over sixty years, she for nearly thirty, and they have come to think of Gloucester as home.
Donald Saunders and Deborah Coull
Immediately following the intimate discussion with Newton and Ullmann and the question and answer session with the audience was a screening of the her 2000 film Faithless, written by Bergman and directed by Ullmann.
Mad scramble to find additional chairs for sold-out event!
Nicole and Robert Newton
Chris Kelleher
Note from Creative Director Robert Newton:
Hello again,
The three-year mark has long been a Big Brass Ring of sorts for small business owners. To weather so many days without hemorrhaging red ink is an accomplishment in any economy. We are happy to report that on October 1, we here at The Cape Ann Community Cinema will celebrate three whole years serving the North Shore’s die-hard film fans. And we couldn’t have done it without you.
Liv Ullmann and Robert Newton
To celebrate the start of our fourth year, we are kicking off 3 months of programming blocks: September is ‘A Foreign Affair’ (films from other countries), October marks the return of ‘DoctoberFest’ (all documentaries) and November 3-20 is The 2nd Annual Cape Ann Film Festival.
You may or may not have visited with us yet, and you may or may not have heard about the very different rules we have regarding our giant, comfortable, couch-and-recliner-bedecked living room. Yes, you can bring a meal with you (but leave the movie snacks at home). Just follow our “3S” Rule – mind the smell, the sound and the slop (and no Hibachis), and like you would on a trip to Jellystone National Park, carry out what you carry in.
Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned Cinema veteran, please visit with us soon. As always, we promise to make your experience a memorable one, just as your support of this crazy thing of ours has been so wonderful for us for the last three years.
Many thanks,
Robert Newton
Creative Director
The Cape Ann Community Cinema
Ken Duckworth graciously shares his recipe for the most divine lobster risotto!
Nicole Duckworth
Friday night we celebrated my husband Tom’s birthday at Ken and Nicole’s fabulous restaurant, Duckworth’s Bistrot. Located on East Main Street, which runs along Gloucester’s working inner harbor, it is a mere 100 steps from their front door to ours, although whenever entering Duckworth’s, I feel transported and am reminded of the lovely bistrots dotting Parisian neighborhoods and seaside ristorantes along the Amalfi coastline. Cosmopolitan, yet neighborly, with its intimate and inviting atmosphere, Duckworth’s is my and my family’s favorite restaurant for special occasions—birthdays, anniversaries, graduations—truly any celebration gives reason to call for a reservation!
Crispy Polenta with Grilled Portabella Mushrooms
After
Grilled Sea Scallops
Chef Ken Duckworth draws from myriad influences, American and international, and the ingredients are pure New England. Captain Joe & Sons supplies fresh lobsters daily, the shrimp is wild caught and from domestic waters, and produce, eggs, and cheese are provided by local farmers. Changes to the menu are made day to day, depending on the seasonal availability of ingredients, although there are several dishes that are nearly always on the menu including Ken’s beautiful fruits of the sea stew, the crispy polenta and portabella mushroom appetizer, and my all time favorite, the lobster and vegetable risotto, with sautéed greens. All the desserts are made by Nicole Duckworth and with notice, she is able to create made-to-order cakes for special occasions.
Dan, Andy, and Michelle
Very Chocolate Cake
Andy, who also works in the kitchen, was our waiter Friday night, and over the years we’ve gotten to know Dan and Michelle. The staff is one of the reasons why a night out at Duckworth’s is always joyful experience. Thank you Duckworth’s for making my husband’s birthday so delightfully delicious and enjoyable!
Andy
Duckworth’s Bistrot | 197 East Main Street, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930 |(978) 282.4426 | Google Map Serving Dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 4:00 to 9:30 P.M. – Reservations Recommended .
Duckworth’s Bistrot Lobster Risotto
Lobster Sauce (yield 1 qt)
6-8 Med lobster bodies split in ½ lengthwise
1 large yellow onion, medium dice
2 carrots, med dice
4 ribs celery, med dice
4 fennel stalks, med dice
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
pinch of saffron
¼ cup tomato paste
zest of 1 lemon
½ cup brandy or cognac
1 qt milk
1 qt lt cream
salt/cayenne
4 oz butter
For sauce
Lobster risotto, serves 4
½ cup small diced onion
bay leaf
1 ½ cup Arborio rice
3 cups chicken stock or water
4 one pound lobsters, cooked and picked, meat cut into chunks
3 tbsp butter or oil
For risotto
Renee and Joe singing at the last block party of the season on Saturday night
Jeff Cluett and Gallery 5 Madfish Wharf
Two of my oldest and dearest friends came for lunch this past week, Jeannette and Kate. I was in a jam for time and struggling with what to prepare. How silly to be stressed–what could possibly be more welcoming to serve to out of town friends than fresh lobster from the shores of Cape Ann? I ran over to the dock at Captain Joe’s the night before lunch, purchased four lobsters for a very reasonable price, cooked all four, ate one for dinner that evening, and shucked the meat of the remaining three. The next morning I found the most gorgeous and savory olive baguette at Alexandra’s Bread. I served the cold lobster, very lightly dressed with mayonnaise, over a bed of farm fresh baby romaine and my version of ceasar salad dressing, garnished with colorful wedges of fresh cantaloupe, and Alexandra’s bread. Lunch was simple to prepare, local, nutritious, delicious, and a huge hit!
I am so regretful I did not take any snapshots, but am not very good at entertaining and photographing simultaneously. Kate was snapping away with her iphone. Both she and my daughter take wonderful photos with their iphones–I think it has as much to do with their great “eye” as it does with the phone’s eye. I’ll write more about my friend Kate’s jewelry design business in a future post. You may have clicked on her link from the Designer section of my blog: Kate Hines. My beautiful ‘girl-with-a-pearl’ earrings that I wear nearly everyday were a gift from husband, made by Kate.
Kate Hines Photo ~ This is a mirror I made (or rather glued the shells to the old frame) years ago. Where did i find the time to do that??
Memoriam October 1, 2011
The Garland family and the City of Gloucester welcome everyone to a celebration of the life of Joe Garland, Gloucester’s historian, writer, and civic-proponent who died August 30 th at age 88.
The all-volunteer event will take place on October 1, 2011, at 1 p.m. in the center of town at 65 Rogers Street, the harbor-front property formerly known as I4-C2.
The event celebrating not only the man but the colorful and vital city he loved will include: music, a brief program with speakers, a variety of tents featuring the causes and activities Joe cared about, along with some of his favorite foods, and a gathering of boats—fishing and sail alike—which will salute him from the harbor.
The opening program will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m., and will conclude with an open-mic session so that those who wish may share what Joe meant to them and to Gloucester. Any who prefer to offer a written or illustrated remembrance may bring a page (8.5 x 11”) to be included in The Book of Joe .
Donations in his name to worthy literary, environmental, medical and civic causes will be accepted at the various tents.
Seating will be limited so celebrants are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Parking for disabled and seniors (70 and older) will be available on site.
In case of rain, Celebrating Gloucester’s Joe will be held at City Hall, 9 Dale Avenue, where parking for elders and disabled will also be available.
For further information
Peter Van Ness: 978-525-9093
My friend Isabelle writes of her US book release: I am delighted to share some exciting news, my first novel, J’Adore New York, is being released in the United States on October 4th. As part of this event, a book trailer video was created by the talented Haleigh Walsworth of the Making Magique blog
Our son Alex came home from Green Mountain College, located in Poultney, Vermont, during the long Labor Day weekend. He was under the misguided assumption that he would be able to return to the college by public transportation. Only a week after Hurricane Irene had struck that simply was not the case. Typically what is a four hour drive each way, and a drive I am capable of accomplishing both ways in one day, took closer to eight hours each way, over a two day stretch, because of the impassable roads and torrential rain.
The grim reality of mile after mile of the mass destruction created by wind and water was overwhelming. The drive was harrowing and at every turn I imagined our lives ending in a violent crash. Based on road closing notifications I thought we had pre-navigated a safe route; west on Route 2 across Massachusetts and then north on 22 through eastern New York. Not all road closings had been posted! GPS was of no help at all as it is only capable of rerouting travelers to the shortest route and for much of the drive over desolate backcountry roads cell phone service was unavailable. We made it to the college at around 7:30pm. With the continuing downpour and utter loss as to how to navigate home in the dark I found a lovely inn (with the help of a local convenience store attendant) further down the highway in Fairhaven. A true beacon in the storm, The Maplewood Inn, was closed for business after the long weekend. Paul, the proprietor, was kind enough to answer my knock and open his door. After a night’s rest and fabulous home cooked breakfast prepared by Paul, I headed home, with driving directions thoughtfully supplied by Paul, based on the Vermont Transportation Department’s latest road closings. Unfortunately, additional detours had been created from the previous day’s storms.
Driving the back roads through the Vermont countryside would at some point in the future be a beautiful experience and I very much look forward to revisiting these roadways. Route 140 takes you winding through scenic farmland and the lushly gorgeous Green Mountains. Tuesday however it was drizzling rain and if you were not paying close attention every single second, your car could easily plunge down a ravine as huge chunks of road are washed away, with only orange cones denoting the lack of pavement. Thank goodness for comic relief–I nearly drove smack into a road closed sign and a friendly minister pulled up beside my car, asking me directions! We decided to venture the closed road only to come across a delivery truck stopped where the road had vanished. Fortunately, the truck driver was familiar with the area and he gave us excellent directions to get to the main highway. Both the clergyman and I followed him convoy-style to the highway. Thank goodness for blessings, small and large.
Mile upon mile of decimated cornfields
As the rain began to clear, I was overcome with a desire to photograph the unfolding landscape, but for the most part it really wasn’t safe to stop along the road. Because of the recent rainfall from tropical storm Katia, the rivers and streams were again frightfully swollen. I also did not want to obtrude in the face of people’s tragedies or get in the way of the National Guard and relief workers. As desperate as I was to find Interstate 91, I turned off the road into what appeared to be a vacant parking lot to stretch my legs, outside the town of Chester. It wasn’t a parking lot any longer. The raging river that ran alongside the lot and fields had ravaged the adjacent cornfield, great swaths of pavement had buckled, and the chain link fencing was a twisted and contorted mass of metal.
Parking lot
Click the above panorama to see full size. The flattened corn stalks on the left shows the flood’s path through the cornfield.
The damage to Vermont’s developing agriculture industry is beyond measure. Because of the fear of microbial contamination, every bit of fruit, vegetable, corn, and soybean touched by flood water has to be destroyed, and any crops growing below ground will, on a case by case basis, be examined for viability. Many of the organic farmers will have to be recertified (a lengthy process) and many fields will never again be used for agriculture because of the gargantuan boulders and prodigious stone debris deposited by the flood. I saw half-houses along river banks, the other half having been torn away, thousands of great trees with colossal and unwieldy root balls laying across riverbeds, streams, and alongside highways, and miles and miles of impassable roads. The photos were taken from a single site and are only mildly representative of the destruction in the wake of Irene.
Labor Day Sunflowers
Rockwell Kent Godspeed
An angel watches over a sailing vessel, with Northern Lights in the background
From History.com: Labor Day, an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters. In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages. People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.
As manufacturing increasingly supplanted agriculture as the wellspring of American employment, labor unions, which had first appeared in the late 18th century, grew more prominent and vocal. They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay. Many of these events turned violent during this period, including the infamous Haymarket Riot of 1886, in which several Chicago policemen and workers were killed. Others gave rise to longstanding traditions: On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history. The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, caught on in other industrial centers across the country, and many states passed legislation recognizing it.
Congress would not legalize the holiday until 12 years later, when a watershed moment in American labor history brought workers’ rights squarely into the public’s view. On May 11, 1894, employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. On June 26, the American Railroad Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, called for a boycott of all Pullman railway cars, crippling railroad traffic nationwide. To break the strike, the federal government dispatched troops to Chicago, unleashing a wave of riots that resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen workers. In the wake of this massive unrest and in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
More than a century later, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified. Many credit Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, while others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, first proposed the holiday.
Labor Day is still celebrated in cities and towns across the United States with parades, picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays and other public gatherings. For many Americans, particularly children and young adults, it represents the end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season.
On my way to photograph the wildflowers and butterflies on Eastern Point I would often pass a couple so very obviously much in love, walking hand in hand along the shore road between Raymond’s Beach and Eastern Point Lighthouse. After perhaps the twentieth time passing by, I introduced myself and asked if they would mind posing for a snapshot. We began chatting and they asked what was it I was photographing. I mentioned the books I was writing, about garden design and butterflies, and the great numbers of Monarchs encountered, in the meadows and sleeping in trees. Joe became very animated and asked to see the Monarch trees–he had lived on Eastern Point nearly all his life and hoped to see this phenomenon one day. Of course, I would be delighted. We made a time to meet again to look for Monarch trees and to photograph.
Joe and Helen Garland October 2006
Joe and Helen became fast friends to Tom and I. Helen and Joe’s insight and wisdom helped me enormously during a challenging time with launching my first book. I remain forever grateful for their assistance. Joe’s interests were varied and his was a brilliant mind. He wrote the most thoughtful blurb for my book–an author is expected to collect several blurbs, but Joe’s was so beautifully written, I only wanted his on my book’s jacket. And it was Joe who urged me to contact Carol Gray at the Sawyer Free Library about having a photo exhibit at the Matz Gallery. All of us who have been graced by Joe and Helen’s loving kindness will sorely miss Joe. Our thoughts and prayers are with Helen.
In Memoriam ~ The Garland family and the City of Gloucester welcome everyone to a celebration of the life of Joe Garland, Gloucester’s historian, writer, and civic-proponent who died August 30th at age 88. The all-volunteer event will take place on October 1, 2011, at 1 p.m. in the center of town at 65 Rogers Street, the harbor-front property formerly known as I4-C2.
Eye to Eye
Black Swallowtail Butterfly
A butterfly’s eyes are relatively enormous, spherical structures referred to as compound eyes. Consisting of thousands of hexagonal shaped omatidea, each omatidea, or mini-sensor, is directed at a slightly different angle from the others. Collectively they are directed forwards, backwards, left, right, up, and down. For this reason, butterflies are able to see in nearly every direction simultaneously.
Hackberry Emperor Butterfly
Monarch Butterfly Eye
Vision is well developed in butterflies and most species are sensitive to the ultraviolet spectrum. The ability to see colors may be widespread but has been demonstrated in only a few species.
Black Swallowtail Butterfly
Alex Goes to Green Mountain College, Vermont
We headed up to Vermont bright and early last Saturday morning, after first depositing Alex’s girlfriend Katherine, a senior in high school, at the train station. Both are committed to making a success of the coming year, but I know they will miss each other terribly.
Lots of farewell dinners-view from the Lobster Pool Restaurant, Rockport
The day was gorgeous, with no sign of pending Hurricane Irene–besides, I thought, she is not coming to Vermont, anyway. We saved our appetites for the Trap Door Bakehouse and Cafe, with its spectacular view overlooking Quechee Gorge (see preceding post). The sandwiches and homemade pastries are simply divine–I had the Escargot–a beautiful confection wrapped in a spiral of almonds, cinnamon, and so many raisins spilling out I had to eat the breakfast pastry from it’s wax paper bag.
Quechee Gorge, Vermont, day before Hurricane Irene, from the Trap Door Cafe Overlook
We arrived at 11:00 to much waiting in line–leaving Alex there while I took Tom on a quick tour of the grounds. It was his first glimpse of the school and I think he was impressed with the beauty of the campus and the fact that it is meticulously maintained–not always the case with the many small colleges we toured. We briefly looked over the organic farm, which is entirely student run. Alex loves the outdoors and was drawn to Green Mountain for its environmental studies program and outdoor adventure education leadership program.
By mid-afternoon, Alex was moved in and we were told it was time for parents to leave. He is going to be sorely missed and all the qualities that I love in him–his sense of humor, charisma, kindness, consideration, wit, and intelligence, I hope serve him well while endeavoring to meet new friends and on this adventure into higher education. I am looking forward to parent’s weekend, not too far off, in late September.
Anticipating the long drive home, we had asked the proprietors of the Trap Door Bakehouse to recommend a restaurant in Woodstock. Without hesitation, they suggested Melaza. The Caribbean inspired dishes were superb. I sampled the coconut-crusted shrimp from the tapas menu and mixed green salad with yucca, artichokes, and olives. Tom was raving about his chicken, but neither of us can remember what it was called. Ironically, our waitress urged us to stay overnight in Woodstock, to avoid Irene, because her brother had been evacuated from Newburyport.
The light was warm and luminous as we departed Vermont and the mountainsides were aglow with great fields of tall goldenrod, brilliantly illuminated by the low slanting rays of late summer sun. I am overjoyed for our son and hope with all my heart he will find happiness, where ever his dreams may lead.
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago altissima, syn. Solidago canadensis)
