Rockport Ramblings
Jonathan L'Ecuyer
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The First Congregational Church of Rockport is raffling off four Red Sox tickets in an effort to raise money toward the ongoing restoration of its historic building, known locally as The Old Sloop.
The church has received Community Preservation Act (CPC) money over the past two years and the congregation has raised over $25,000 to date toward its portion of the Community Preservation commitment.
Up for grabs are four tickets located in the first row along the third base line for the Sept. 18 Red Sox game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Raffle organizer Louisa Casadei-Johnson said the tickets have a combined face value of $500.
Raffle tickets are $10 and available at the church office at 12 School St. or by contacting Casadei-Johnson at Lcasadeijohnson@aol.com or Bill Elwell at 978-546-3157.
The winner will be drawn at the church on Labor Day at noon.
Quick hits
The Friends of Rockport Athletics will set sail aboard the Hurricane II at Cape Ann Whale Watch for a comedy cruise on Friday, Sept. 3, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., with the comedy scheduled to start promptly at 6:30 on the dock.
The sunset cruise, including music, food and a cash bar, will navigate around the schooners in Gloucester Harbor all to benefit the athletic teams of Rockport High School. Tickets can be purchased for $20 each either from Cape Ann Whale Watch by calling 1-800-877-5110 or through FRA member Thomas MacCrate at 978-546-8393.
School officials remind parents who wish to home-school or who are home-schooling their children that they must inform the superintendent and apply to home-school for the 2010-2011 school year.
Parents should write to Superintendent Dr. Susan King at Rockport Public Schools, 24 Jerden's Lane, Rockport, MA 01966 or call King at 978-546-1200 ext. 3.
The High School DECA store will sell student planners for high school students starting on the first day of school, Aug. 31, for $3.50 each. Supply is very limited as there are only 150 planners available, said DECA Advisor Scott Larsen.
With every planner sold, the student will be entered into DECA's fall clothing contest and may win a sweatshirt and sweatpants combo. For more information, e-mail Larsen at slarsen@rockport.k12.ma.us.
The Rockport Legion Band will present the final concert of its 77th summer season Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Back Beach Bandstand.
As usual, refreshments will be available and parking is free, but listeners will need to provide their own seating.
Jason Howard and Steve Thomas will co-conduct the program which will feature marches by Panilla, Fillmore, Hall, Maquet, Meacham, and Sousa, plus a march written by a former band member for the band.
Other selections include a medley of popular favorites, a salute to the American armed forces, music from Broadway, and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture".
The ceremonial rifle squad from Rockport's American Legion Post 98 will be special guest performers.
Further information is posted on the band's Web site at http://rockportlegionband.wordpress.com.
People in the news
Joanna Clark, daughter of former Selectman Charles Clark and Molly Clark, returned Tuesday from her voyage halfway around the world aboard the barque Picton Castle, a three-masted tall ship which was last seen locally last summer in Gloucester Harbor.
On Thursday, she recounted her experiences at the helm of the Picton Castle in all kinds of weather plus gave a world tour of places the barque visited on its trip from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, to Raratonga on the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. Some stops were in the Caribbean, Panama, the Galapagos, and the Gambier Islands, to name a few.
The talk and slideshow lasted about an hour and was followed by a musical performance by Alek Razdan, Gil Clark, and friends. Clark is returning for her senior year in college Sunday.
Today, from 9 a.m. to noon, Paul St. Germain, author of the newly published book, "Twin Lights of Thacher Island, Cape Ann" will hold a book signing and discussion of his book at the Seaward Inn at 44 Marmion Way.
Proceeds from the book will go toward the purchase of a new boat for the Thacher Island Association. The non-profit organization is dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of this National Historic Landmark. The event will also include live entertainment by the Whiskey Boys.
For more information contact the inn by calling 978-546-3471.
Massachusetts Youth Soccer sponsored the 2010 District Select Tournament held in Lancaster on Aug. 7 and 8.
Six of the seven state districts participated in this year's tournament and six players represented Rockport in District 5 competition. They were Katie Andrews (Girls U15*), Shaun Aspesi (Boys U14), Lauren Donnelly (Girls U19), JJ Murphy (Boys U12), Shelby Salas (Girls U14*) and Andrew Wayrynen (Boys U13).
Katie and Shelby were also members of the 2010 Districts Champion team.
Rockport Ramblings is compiled each week by reporter Jonathan L'Ecuyer. If you have an item for Ramblings, call L'Ecuyer at 978-283-7000, ext. 3451, or e-mail jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
