By All Hands
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A painting of Gloucester is expected to fetch the highest price when Christie's New York auction house holds its sale of American Paintings, Drawing and Sculpture on May 16.
The 100 lots, ranging in price from $10,000 to $3 million, could total in excess of $22 million.
Fitz Henry Lane's "Gloucester, Stage Fort Beach," done in 1849, which depicts where English settlers landed on Cape Ann in the 1600s has the highest pre-sale estimate at $3 million. It features cattle in the foreground and sailboats on harbor.
Christie's reports the painting has been part of a private collection; almost all of Lane's paintings from the same period are owned by musuems.
To view this painting and hear an audio commentary from a Christie's expert, visit http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=5561251.
Docksiders and Idols
The Docksiders, the Gloucester High School stage band, are back home after performances at two of Florida's top theme parks with some great memories and quite a few accolades.
Over the last 10 days, the 27-piece instrumental group played twice at Disney's Waterside Stage and once at Wild Arctic Plaza at Sea World in Orlando.
But band members enjoyed one additional special moment when its lead vocalist, Gloucester High senior Katy Geraghty, auditioned for — and won — the "American Idol Experience" competition at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.
Band director David Adams noted that Disney looks for contestants who have talent and stage presence, and only a select few are given the opportunity to perform. Winners in the daily competition are selected by audience vote after receiving comments and suggestions from a panel of professionals.
Geraghty won her preliminary round against two other performers, earning the right to face four contestants in the finals, and when audience votes were tallied, she was declared the winner and the celebration began. Geraghty had to take a moment to sign autographs for a group of her newest fans who gathered outside the stage door to meet her following her win.
"We are ever so grateful to the people of Cape Ann who supported us and made this trip possible," said Adams. "These past few days have created memories that will last a lifetime for these students."
On Sunday at 2 p.m., they will give a free concert at the Gloucester High School Field House. Those planning to attend are requested to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to The Open Door food pantry, which serves Cape Ann.
Ex-local journalist in JFK Library talk
Former Gloucester resident Sandy Tolan — an author, former Nieman Fellow and award-winning radio journalist — will speak at Boston's JFK Library this Sunday in a talk that will help to mark the fifth anniversary celebration of the local nonprofit group called Artsbridge.
The organization brings Israeli and Palestinian teens from the Mideast to Boston every summer to engage them in the peace process through art and civic dialogue.
Tolan, who now lives in Los Angeles area, lived in Gloucester from 1993 to 2003 and has reported from more than 30 countries over the last 28 years. He is also author of two books: "The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew and the Heart of the Middle East" and "Me and Hank: A Boy and His Hero 25 Years Later."
He has written for more than 40 newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, and produced hundreds of documentaries and features for National Public Radio and Public Radio International. He is also a co-founder of Homelands Productions, an independent production company focusing on documentary work for public radio.
Resident featured in short film
Gloucester native Chad Figurido, who is studying acting for film at the New York Film Academy at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, has a part in a professional short that has been submitted for a film festival.
The Los Angeles resident plays the mortician in director Alexander Raye Pimentel's version of "The Near Departed," based on the short story by Richard Mathieson. Figurido says he won the lead role in another Pimentel is planning.
Before moving to L.A., Figurido acted professionally on the North Shore and at North Shore Community College, where he was a dean's list student.
To view the "The Near Departed," visit http://vimeo.com/40116361.
Honored veteran
The flag at the Veterans' Center will fly this week in honor of World War I veteran Phillips Haskell.
Born April 30, 1892, he entered the U.S. Navy on Dec. 7, 1917.
The chief quartermaster served at Naval Training Station in Hingham, Mass.
He died of pneumonia on Sept. 29, 1918 while in the Navy. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.
The flag was requested to fly in his honor by the Office of Veterans' Services.
Anyone wishing to fly a flag in honor of a deceased veteran can call the Office of Veterans' Services at 978-281-9740.
