Rockport Chamber launches Scooter Raffle

Tickets are selling fast for the first Rockport Chamber of Commerce scooter raffle, chamber manager Peter Webber said this week.

The chamber is raffling off a brand new 50cc Benelli Scooter, described as a "top-of-the-line" Andretti model, with a retail value of $2,800. Webber said the raffle was made possible thanks to the generosity of Tony Taliadoros of Tony Tally's Auto and Scooter Sales.

The raffle — a fund-raising initiative to support chamber programs — will also include second and third place prizes of $250 and $100, respectively. The scooter is on display at Smith Ace Hardware and will be moved to the chamber's tent on the island in Dock Square for next weekend's Harvest Festival.

The raffle will continue throughout the autumn; the drawing is set to take place at the chamber's annual holiday party and half-price sale on Dec. 2.

Raffle tickets, priced at $10 each and three for $25, may be purchased at Smith Ace Hardware, and are available in downtown Rockport at Katie's Gift Shop at 3 Mount Pleasant St., and at The Pewter Shop, l16 Bearskin Neck.

For further information or to purchase tickets, call the chamber at 978-546-6575 or visit the office at 3 Whistlestop Mall.

Assessments Tuesday

The new assessed values for fiscal 2009 will be available starting Tuesday in the assessor's office at Town Hall.

The office is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The assessor's office may be contacted at 978-546-2011 for information.

Quick hits

Join the friends of the Keating family for a three-hour fundraising event aboard the Hurricane II to benefit the Keating Children's Educational Fund today, from 4 to 7 p.m. Boarding of the Cape Ann Whale Watch boat begins at 3:30 p.m at Rose's Wharf on Rogers Street, Gloucester. The event will feature a one-hour comedy performance by Boston comedian Dave Russo, a sunset cruise around Gloucester Harbor, music by a disc jockey, dancing, appetizers and a cash bar. Cost is $30 per person or $50 per couple. Those interested should call Captain Jim at 978-283-5110.

The Rockport Community Preservation Committee will be holding its application workshop for the use of Community Preservation money on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Police Station Community Room. The workshop is for those who wish to apply for funding or who have an idea and wish to see if a project might be eligible for funding. The committee is seeking input from the community in the areas of open space, recreation, affordable housing and historic preservation. All ideas and suggestions will be considered. A brief overview of the law and the selection process will be given.

Rockport's fourth annual Harvest Festival celebration will take place next weekend and visitors are being invited to vote for their favorite scarecrows and leave comments for the scarecrow makers. Individuals, families, and community organizations are encouraged to join Rockport's retailers, gallery owners, innkeepers, and restaurateurs in building scarecrows for this year's festival. Anyone interested in creating a Harvest scarecrow is asked to contact the Rockport Chamber of Commerce by Tuesday. For more information and to register, call 978-546-6575.

"We're encouraging all stores to try to really go all out to create scarecrows," chamber manager Peter Webber said. "We hope to hear from people planning to create a scarecrow early enough to be able to put a chart together to encourage people to go around to all of them and cast votes on their favorites — we're calling it the Scarecrow Stroll."

People in the news

While working out the final details for the upcoming softball game between the Rockport Police and Fire departments and crew members of the USS John L. Hall, the Rockport Navy Committee discovered some interesting history about Evans Field, where the game will take place Saturday, Oct. 18, at 6 p.m.

It was willed to the town in 1928 by Mrs. Visey E. Evans, who said at the time "it is my desire that the town permit the soldiers and sailors of the United States to have use of this field without charge, whenever the ships of the United States Navy may be in our harbor."

Navy committee organizer Sharon Grandmaison said while no one on the committee knew of Evan's request prior to scheduling the game at Evans Field, the significance was not lost on them.

"Eighty years ago, a woman had such respect for the United States military that she put this stipulation in her will," Grandmaison, said.

Bridge club

Saturday, Sept 27: First, Marge Baker and Barbara Beyea, 53; second, Pat Sylvia and Elaine Luongo, 52; third, Loretta Mineo and Bernice Blitz, 51.

Tuesday, Sept. 30: First, Molly Foster and Lyn FitzGerald, 54; second, Jane Pierce and Ann Millar, 47; third, Bill and Kate Holloway, 451âÑ2.

Thursday, Oct. 2: First, Greg Hannifan and Gus Lawson, 481âÑ2; second, Muriel Davis and Barbara Beyea, 48; third (tie), Cynthia Bjorlie and Merrill Gerstner and Molly Foster and Lyn FitzGerald, 441âÑ2.

Saturday, Oct. 4: First, Muriel Davis and Gus Lawson, 57; second (tie), Marge Baker and Barbara Beyea and Molly Foster and Alex McKenzie, 56; third, Leonie Cocchiarella and Ann Millar, 51.

Tuesday, Oct. 7: First, Merrill Gerstner and Muriel Davis, 52; second, Maureen Sheehan and Virginia Widmer, 48; third, Jane Pierce and Ann Millar, 471âÑ2.

Thursday, Oct. 9: First, Ann Millar and Jane Pierce, 351âÑ2; second, Kate and Bill Holloway, 341âÑ2.

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.

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