A Seasonal Mix!

With Thanksgiving by us the sights of Christmas is heating up. And I had an unusual week of traveling to Boston most days to take my wife to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary for treatment of an injured eye. Somehow a painful tear formed over one eye and fortunately her treatment is coming along just fine. One fact I wasn't aware of is that the Mass Eye & Ear has one of only three emergency rooms for eye care in the country! Taking that 35 mile ride into Boston doesn't seem so bad when you think about it. Gloucester's Kent Circle is all lit up with Christmas lights and a Christmas tree supplied from our Nova Scotia friends. Soon the Lobster Trap Christmas tree will be in full decoration! Kent Circle The 2009 Lobster Trap Christmas Tree! 2010 version! Rockport's Motif #1! At night! This week in the North channel. Fish Pier at night. Bunker Hill Monument. Heading into Boston. Officially named Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge! Heading north on the Tobin Bridge.

Thanksgiving Rivals!

Since 1960 the Georgetown Royals and Manchester/Essex Regional Hornets have played their season final against one another. Up until the early 1990's the game was played the Saturday before Thanksgiving Day. I was an assistant coach for the Hornets from 1982 to 2002 and been involved in many epic battles in this rivalry. Both teams struggled this season but bragging rights for another year went to the Hornets after a hard fought 27-12 victory over the Royals. One special guest was invited to take part in the coin toss. A serviceman who just came home from Afghanistan, Kyle Johanson of Georgetown who surprised his brother Kane, a player for the Royals! Brothers reunite! Blocked extra point attempt! Breaking loose! Pass broken up! Dragging the opposition! Yes holding was called....I wonder why? Horse collar! Lunging forward. Passing a lateral skip pass trick play where the receiving back picks it up and fires to an open receiver down field for a touch down! It worked except for one thing....an official was tricked and blew his whistle killing the play dead! OUCH! Punt safely away. Getting run over! Extra point up and good! Sack! One thing I'm very aware of is to not try in any way take similar photos near professional photographers who are working their trade. However while taking this below I was talking to Gloucester Times exceptional photographer Desi Smith and we checked out our results. We were amazed we clicked at the same time, both photos looked very similar. Check it out! Punt! Game over!

Images of Fall!

For twenty years of my life I paced the sidelines as an assistant football coach at Manchester/Essex Regional High School never really being able to take in the wonders of Fall. The Fall now feels colder..... not running around as much I suppose but the season feels longer to me now. When Hurricane Sandy approached I waited to cover the boat in fear that my cheap Home Depot tarp would rip to shreds. So a few days after I covered it we were hit with a powerful Nor'easter! The old tarp held up fine, the trick is to secure it TIGHT! The key is to wrap a line around the hull's length to keep it from flapping in the wind. Boat covered. A cheap tarp will last for about 4 seasons. The mighty Pee Wee's! Orange mohawk! Cheering! Defending Gloucester at Stage Fort Park. USCG buoy tender. Wind turbine dominates the skyline! Paint Factory The Birdseye plant, the future site of the Beauport Hotel! Little River From a different angle. Frenchman's Pier

Gloucester to Harness the Wind!

With Varian's giant wind turbine in place it's now time to install two more at Gloucester Engineering. While one will support Gloucester Engineering's electric needs, the third will supply the electric needs for Gloucester's municipal buildings. According to Mayor Carolyn Kirk the city could save as much as $400,000 in energy costs per year! Friday morning city,state and Gloucester Engineering officials held a "Blade Signing Ceremony" where members of the public were given the opportunity to sign a turbine blade. Turbine tower footing. Massive blades await assembly. Inside the tower. Blade lifting instructions! City Councilor Sefatia Romeo Theken signs. City Councilor Melissa Cox signs as Senator Bruce Tarr smirks on! Retired Assistant Superintendent Brian Tarr signs. Student Cassandra McComiski signs. More signitures. Creative signings! Even I signed! Changing skyline. Wind turbine and church steeples!