Artist friends gathered, after a morning of painting Nov. 10, at the studio and home of Betty Lou Schlemm in honor of Chris Pitman's 90th birthday and to celebrate Pitman's years of dedication to the arts and the local art associations.

Pitman, mother of School Committee member Nancy Mears, has been painting with Schlemm and other Rockport artists for more than 30 years.¬ She is a life member of the Rockport Art Association and the Northshore Art Association.

Past presidents of both organizations — Ron Straka for the RAA and Tom O'Keefe from the Northshore Art Association — paid tribute and expressed appreciation for her involvement through the years with both groups. She also received congratulations, flowers and cards from many fellow artist friends that were at the party.

Quick hits

Rockport Town Hall will be closed Thanksgiving and Friday, Nov. 27, as part of the holiday season. Because of the holiday closings, Town Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

Singers are invited to join the Dock Square Carolers around the tree to greet the season with songs, Santa and the public at the tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 5. Choral director Wendy Betts will lead the musical program, starting with a rehearsal prior to the ceremony at 2:30 p.m. at the Rockport Art Association. Call 978-546-5220 or 978-546-9689 to be included.

Like all living plants, trees need periodic care to maintain their beauty. The Rockport Garden Club, with town permission, recently completed tree pruning in Barletta Park. The small park, adjacent to Dock Square, and the information kiosk there is the first stop for many visitors.

The club funds civic projects and scholarships, in addition to planting and maintaining 13 gardens throughout Rockport, including Barletta Park. For more information, visit www.rockportgardenclub.org.

All are welcome to attend a community Thanksgiving service at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 24 Broadway, at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day.

People in the news

Rockport High School senior Margo Balboni was named a 2009 Jenzabar Foundation Emerging Leader for outstanding commitment to her community at the recent Wheelock College Passion for Action Leadership Award Dinner.

Wheelock College and The Jenzabar Foundation have partnered to recognize emerging youth leadership in Massachusetts by honoring high school students motivated to social action and service.

"They are leaders who inspire their peers and demonstrate again the immense potential for each individual to have a positive impact on entire communities," said Wheelock College President Jackie Jenkins-Scott.

Balboni founded the Environmental Club at Rockport High School and is a member of the town's Wind Technology Committee.

The Viking Chessmen swept the competition in their season opener. In the opening match of play in the North Shore Interscholastic Chess League, the Rockport High School team won all seven games against Peabody High School, said team advisor, David Tower. Winning players were Eric Story, Ben Tuck, Reed Farel, Dylan McDonough, Emily Farel, Keady Segel and Tom Burgdorf.

This year's team starts league play with a quartet of junior veterans, Story, team captain Tuck, McDonough and Segel. Burgdorf, a junior, and brother and sister Emily and Reed Farel are newcomers this season.

Bridge club

Saturday, Nov. 14: First, Bill and Pat Hidden, 48; second, Lester Stockman and Pat Sylvia and Ann Millar and Gus Lawson, 461âÑ2; third, Milt and Helen Lauenstein, 431âÑ2.

Tuesday, Nov. 17: First, Bill Parsons and Lawson, 47; second (tie), Bill and Kate Holloway and the Lauensteins, 451âÑ2; third, Muriel Davis and Greg Hanifan, 43.

Thursday, Nov. 19: First, Hanifan and Lawson, 391âÑ2; second (tie), Sylvia and Millar and Molly Foster and Lyn Fitzgerald, 38

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.