Supporting a Great Cause

On Saturday, March 7^th, the Gloucester High School Docksiders held their 9^th annual wine tasting concert at the Gloucester House Restaurant, and I was honored to have been provided the opportunity to participate in the festivities yet again.  The turnout was amazing, with people from all over Cape Ann enjoying delicious food, excellent conversations, and best of all, incredible music provided by the Docksiders.  Halfway through the night I became the auctioneer, where I was able to assist in raising additional funds for the organization by auctioning off several gift baskets.

 

 

The Docksiders are led by GHS Music Director Dave Adams and Assistant Music Director David DiPietro, who have remained dedicated to teaching students the beauty of music while assisting them in refining their craft. For 11 years the Docksiders have been delighting audiences with their special brand of stage band music.  The proceeds collected at this past Saturday’s event will be going towards their upcoming trip to perform in front of thousands of people at the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando.

 

 

Posted below are several photos that I was able to capture during the event.  To learn more about the Docksiders, please click here to visit their Facebook page. 

 

 

Cheering On this Year’s Fish Box Derby Racers

Gloucester's annual Fish Box Derby marked its 21st anniversary on Sunday, September 14, with spirited and friendly competition carrying on a tradition started in 1994 by a committee of dedicated people with the goal of creating a great opportunity for youth in the region. This year's competition reflected their success, with young competitors bringing their derby cars to the course on Rogers Street surrounded by family, friends, and fans. This is truly a community event, with families working together to sponsor and build cars, and support their drivers. I was an enthusiastic fan once again this year, cheering on the racers on a beautiful afternoon that everyone involved should be proud of.

The derby featured outstanding and unique fish box cars driven by the racers; support from their families, friends, local businesses, and enthusiasts; and the hard work of volunteers. Congratulations are in order for all of the competitors and to the dedicated committee that makes it all happen every year. They include Barry Pett, a member of my staff who serves as a race official for the event; Dan Conrad, President of the organization; Rick Isaaics, Vice-President; and Greg Bover, Clerk.

Please click here to learn more about the Gloucester Fish Box Derby. Posted below are several photos I was able to capture of the derby.
 

 

Honoring Local Heroes

On Thursday, August 21st, I had the honor to attend and participate in the Legion d’Honneur Medal (Legion of Honor Medal) ceremony for U.S. Army veterans Michael Linquata and Frank Mondello, both from Gloucester, Massachusetts. The medals were presented to both men for their courageous actions in fighting to liberate the French people from Germany during World War II.

Presenting Mike and Frank with the medal, which is France’s highest decoration for military or civilian service, was Consul General de France at Boston, Fabien Fieschi. During the ceremony, I was able to present official Massachusetts State Senate Citations recognizing them for their service in the U.S. Army and their bravery overseas fighting against tyranny.

Also in attendance were several officials, including Congressman John Tierney, Kate Machet from U.S. Senator Ed Markey’s office, Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Mayor Carolyn Kirk, Veterans’ Agent Adam Curcuru, City Council President Paul McGeary, Vice-President Sefatia Romeo-Theken, and others, and several prominent military figures including U.S. Army Veteran George Belezos, who is also a recipient of the Legion d’Honneur Medal, Joanne Patton, the daughter-in-law of General George S. Patton, members of the AMVETS organization, and members of the Disabled American Veterans organization.

The medal ceremony was held at the Gloucester World War II Memorial located at Kent Circle in Gloucester. Posted below are several photos I was able to capture during the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gloucester’s Portuguese Crowning Tradition

This past Sunday, June 15^th, I joined the Portuguese community in Gloucester in honoring a celebrated Crowning ceremony, a tradition that has been embedded in Portuguese history since the 14^th century. The morning started with a parade of both children and adults, departing from the DES Portuguese American Club on Prospect Street. The parade, complete with both banners and music, walked to Our Lady of Good Voyage Church for Mass at 10:00 A.M., where the Crowning ceremony took place.  Following Mass a celebratory feast ensued.

The Portuguese Crowning tradition first started during Queen Isabella of Portugal’s reign, who is credited with the annual practice of naming one of her subjects as king for a day. Portuguese immigrants brought the Crowning ceremony to Gloucester, and other parts of the country, over 100 years ago. The ceremony is one full of prayer, joy, and tradition. Gloucester has been honoring this tradition since 1902. I am grateful to have been apart of this year’s commemoration.

The photo posted above was taken by my friend Manuel Simões.  To see more photos that he took of this past Sunday’s event, please click here.  Posted below are a few photos I was able to capture during the feast.

Supporting a Noble Cause

On Friday, June 13^th, I had the honor of participating in Cape Ann’s 14^th annual Relay for Life walk. The fundraiser, held at the O’Maley Middle School in Gloucester, brought together hundreds of enthusiastic and dedicated walkers, volunteers, and supporters. The work of this year’s participants raised over $40,000—and counting! The proceeds of Friday’s walk will go toward efforts of finding a cure for cancer and aiding the patients and their families currently fighting the disease. Although Friday’s weather conditions were gloomy, the positive spirit of the community persisted, making for an inspiring event.

To donate, volunteer, or learn more about the Relay for Life Organization and the American Cancer Society please click here. To learn more about the Cape Ann Relay for Life, please click here to visit the community’s page. Posted below are several pictures I captured of last Friday’s event.

Honoring Gloucester’s Fallen Heroes

On Sunday, June 8th I was honored to attend the Gloucester Fire Department’s annual memorial ceremony dedicated to the city’s fallen firefighters.  Commencing at 8:30am, current and retired firefighters, elected officials, and others gathered at Gloucester’s Public Works yard on Poplar St., and then lead a procession to the Firefighter’s Memorial located at the Cherry Hill Cemetery.

During Sunday’s ceremony, flags were placed on grave sites of the city’s fallen firefighters, including the eight who died in the line of duty.  The ceremony also featured heartfelt speeches, and a moment of silence.  The ceremony provided me with an important opportunity to personally thank the members of our fire department for their dedicated and selfless service to the community each and every day.

Firefighters in Rockport and Essex also participated in similar memorial ceremonies on Sunday, while Manchester will host a ceremony later this month.  Posted below are several photos I captured during the event.  Also below is the Firefighter's Prayer, which is recited at these ceremonies.

Firefighter's Prayer

 When I am called to duty, God,
wherever flames may rage,
give me strength to save a life,
whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child
before it is too late,
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert,
and hear the weakest shout,
quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling,
to give the best in me,
to guard my friend and neighbor,
and protect his property.

  And if according to Your will
I must answer death's call,
bless with your protecting hand,
my family one and all.

 



Supporting a Good Cause

On Saturday, May 10^th I had the opportunity to participate and speak at the “Touch a Truck” fundraiser at the O’Maley Middle School in Gloucester.  The event supports the annual Horribles Parade and draws hundreds of people from Cape Ann.  Those in attendance had the opportunity to take photos with and climb on some of the region’s most iconic vehicles, many of which will be on full display during this summer’s parade.  Some of those vehicles included fire trucks, police vehicles, dump trucks, backhoes, tractors, and a Coast Guard Cutter.

Also, new to the event was the Chowderfest.  People in attendance had the opportunity to participate and vote on what they thought was the best chowder.  Participants included the Cape Ann Brewery, Causeway, Sugar Magnolia’s, Stone’s Pub, and Latitude 43.  All the chowders provided were delicious, and offered a good representation of the region’s cuisine.  Congratulations to Cape Ann Brewery for winning Saturday’s Chowderfest competition.

Posted below are a few photos I was able to capture during Saturday’s “Touch a Truck” fundraiser.  To learn more about this event or of the upcoming Horribles Parade on July 3^rd, please click here.

Honoring Our Firefighters

Today I had the honor of attending the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s 24^th Annual “Firefighter of the Year” Award Ceremony.  Governor Deval Patrick, Secretary of Public Safety and Security Andrea Cabral, State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan, and I were all on hand to support and honor firefighters across the Commonwealth for their acts of heroism and bravery.

Among today’s recipients were members of the Gloucester Fire Department: Captain Joseph Aiello, and Firefighters Jonathon Sanger, Charles Scola, James Burke, Robert Rivas, Frank LeClerc, James Hannon, and Paul Hudson, who were recognized for their bravery in trying to rescue a 15-year-old girl in April during a house fire on Summer Street in Gloucester, and three other fires throughout the city earlier this year.

I am deeply appreciative of the efforts of the members of the Gloucester Fire Department and all of those in the fire service throughout our state for their personal commitment and sacrifice on behalf of our safety and well-being.

Posted below are two photos of Gloucester’s firefighters at today’s ceremony; one with Governor Deval Patrick during today’s ceremony, and one with Mayor Carolyn Kirk and myself.

Newell Stadium Gets a Fresh, New Look

On Friday, September 6^th I joined with Mayor Carolyn Kirk, Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Gloucester Fisherman Athletic Association members including President Jonathan Pope and Chairman of the Renewal of Newell Stadium Committee Dick Wilson, city councilors, student athletes, and members of the community to officially commemorate the opening of the recently renovated Newell Stadium and New Balance Track and Field at Gloucester High School with a ribbon cutting.

It was a perfect sunny day to open the gates to the thousands of people waiting to get their first view of the updated stadium, which will now feature a new track, playing surface, bleachers, bathrooms, goal posts, concession stands, and more.  The Gloucester Fisherman Athletic Association (GFAA), under the guidance of Dick Wilson, has worked hard for several years in bringing this greatly needed renovation to fruition.

Their hard work, commitment, and dedication to the renovation project is a testament to the members of the GFAA’s character and to what athletics means to the City of Gloucester.  Now generations of the city’s youth will be able to continue on with the proud tradition of excellence in sports at Newell Stadium and New Balance Track and Field, a venue our athletes can be proud to call their own.

Posted below are several photos I took of Friday’s ribbon cutting.