Rockport Ramblings: Old Sloop Fair continues this morning

One of Rockport's longest-running rummage sales started yesterday at First Congregational Church on School Street.

Spanning two weekends and three days, the Old Sloop Fair is the largest continuously running church fair on the North Shore, fair Chairwoman Laurie Himml said.

The front lawn of the church, a downtown landmark for more than 200 years, is transformed each year into a large yard sale with goods strewn everywhere. Donations are made by families around Rockport, both church members and non-church members.

The fair is the church's top annual fund-raiser; the proceeds will help cover the cost of major repair work that began last month. The church needs nearly $40,000 to cover repair costs for the front facade, steeple and clock tower.

The steeple atop the historic church is visible from across Sandy Bay and has served as a beacon to fishermen for hundreds of years. It eventually earned the nickname, "Old Sloop," in the early 1800s.

"Our priority right now is to raise the money and start the work," said church Stewardship Committee member Joan Schaefer last month. "The clock and steeple are important aspects of our church, and of the town."

Himml said this year's silent auction boasts some "extra special items," including antique doll trunks, Victorian-era furniture, silver, jewelry, rugs and much more.

"This fair attracts people from all over he North Shore and beyond," Himml said.

Church member Michelle Elwell noted one item in particular she expects will be a "grand slam" at the auction.

Elwell said a recently found vintage Babe Ruth pin from when he played with the Red Sox, dated between 1912 and 1918, will be put up for auction.

"It is in excellent condition, it's amazing," Elwell said. "It's metal, almost like the color of an old penny and has his picture along with his name; underneath his image, it says 'Champions,' and the Babe has the 'B' on the hat — very, very cool!"

Bidding began last night and resumes tonight at 6; final bids are taken at 8 p.m., Himml said.

Acclaimed Washington Post journalist and author of "Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East," Robin Wright, will speak at Rockport Public Library on Monday at 7 p.m.

"In 35 years of reporting from two dozen countries, (Wright) has witnessed wars, revolutions, uprisings, the birth of democracy movements and a new generation of activists in the Middle East," said organizer Dianne Anderson.

Due to the popular response to this program and limited seating capacity, advance reserved, free tickets are needed for admission. To reserve and pick up tickets, call the library at 978-546-6934.

"It really is a very special event to have an author and a journalist of such an international reputation coming to do a program for the community," library Director Hope Coffman said yesterday.

Violinist Andrea Dawson and pianist Kenneth Saxon will give a violin and piano recital at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 3:30 p.m.

The program will include music by Beethoven, Dvorak and Brahms. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. The society is located at 4 Cleaves Street, in downtown Rockport.

Little Art Cinema will be showing "Jellyfish," an Israeli film, today through Thursday, July 31, at 7:30 p.m.

According to cinema owner Arnie Norton, the poignant, witty and magical film won the coveted Camera d'Or at last year's Cannes Film Festival. It tells the story of three very different women whose intersecting stories weave an unlikely portrait of modern Israeli life.

Selectmen interviewed Erik Rask for a three-year term on the Granite Pier Committee. They will vote on whether or not to appoint Rask when they meet Aug. 5.

Paso Fino horses owned by Rockport resident Deborah Ramsey will be available to ride at the Topsfield Fair Grounds on Aug. 9 and 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

According to Ramsey, the Paso Fino is the perfect horse for people who are no longer able to ride other horses because of injuries or surgeries. "The fact that they do not trot allows people to get back in the saddle without fear of pain," she said.

Saturday, : First (tied), Gus Lawson and Muriel Davis and Lester Stockman and Pat Sylvia, 411āÑ2; second, Merrill Gerstner and Agnes MacQuade, 39; third, Bill and Kate Holloway, 37.

Tuesday, : First, Bill and Kate Holloway, 581āÑ2; second, Merrill Gerstner and Muriel Davis, 57; third, Molly Foster and Lyn FitzGerald, 55.

Thursday, : First, Greg Hannifan and Gus Lawson, 491āÑ2; second, Lynn Crain and Ann Millar, 471āÑ2; third, Muriel Davis and Barbara Beyea, 47.

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.

Photos

Customers browse jewelry for sale at the First Congregational Church of Rockportā€™s Annual Old Sloop Fair yesterday morning. The fair continues today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gloucester Daily Times