To the editor:
God bless Daisy Nell for her gift of singing about Gloucester’s schooner Adventure.
God bless her for her gift with words in promoting the glory of sail in Gloucester’s annual Mayor’s Cup schooner races and festival.
God bless Joe Garland and his wife, Helen, and his family for his dream and his foresight that has made this event so spectacular to see and be a part of, whether on shore or in a sailing vessel and powerboats. God bless all those who have contributed to keeping the schooner Adventure an active sailing vessel.
A community with a dream and a purpose is a theme that needs recognition here.
Capt. Jim Sharp took the helm Sunday and guided Adventure on her course around Gloucester Harbor during the schooner parade on Sunday. He gave Adventure to Gloucester years ago. Joe Garland recognized Adventure’s significance, representative of Gloucester’s rich fishing history, and worked to set up the network necessary for Adventure to be restored and available as a symbol of our heritage.
The national preservation treasure that Adventure is shows that community extends far beyond our city, along the shore of Massachusetts. Adventure’s was able to win many grants, which, along with local donations, funded her restoration.
God bless all who have written and continue to write the grant proposals that successfully support schooner Adventure and her crew of volunteers. God bless the individuals and restaurants who have donated food for the many special occasions, such as the Mayor’s Cup.
For me, it was indeed a thrill to be on the Adventure Sunday. I was so glad to be with people excited to see Adventure under power moving out into the harbor, knowing that the sails are being made and will be used in the 2013 Schooner Labor Day event.
I was also happy to be with neighbors from my time of living on Eastern Point, taking care of my mother. I was happy to see a grandmother and grand daughter onboard, enjoying each other’s company, as well as the spectacle of sail. I was and am grateful to all those who worked so hard to get Adventure ready for this day. I appreciated all the photographers onboard capturing some of the wonder of the harbor with so many boats afloat. I was closer to feeling these emotions, thanks to those present feeling the excitement of the day. I was able to feel less numb, forgetting past disappointments, loss of family and love, being homeless, and loss of work as a scrimshander because of endangered species laws. I wished I had met a dentist who could help me.
The Adventure brings people together from all walks of life! What Adventure is today could not have happened without many people.
There were some sorrows on Sunday; people who were not there on board for the event, people who have worked hard over the years of Adventure’s restoration. I pray that next year, those people will be included and recognized for their work. I thank God for competent Capt. Jim Sharp and crew who handled lines and gave and received directions necessary to leave the dock and return safely to it — no small feat! One man cannot haul the huge lines alone.
God bless us when we work together in community.
MARTHA BOWEN
Gloucester
