Cape Ann Lifestyle December 2014

Cape Ann DECEMBER 2014

CapeAnnLifestyle.com

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Giving back on Cape Ann The unique style of Timeless Interiors and Gifts

Experience Experience the the JJ Barrett Barrett Difference Difference

Beverly $779,900 Beverly $779,900 Stunning four bedroom home offers modern amenities

Stunning bedroom amenities including four open floor home plan, offers chef ’smodern kitchen, three including open floor plus plan,fenced chef ’s yard, kitchen, three renovated bathrooms in-ground renovated bathrooms plus fenced yard, in-ground pool, two-car garage. pool, two-car garage.

The Mitchell Team The Mitchell Team

Spectacular views across salt marsh to Atlantic from Spectacular viewsbungalow across salt to Atlantic from compound with andmarsh detached guest cottage. compound with garage bungalow detached guest cottage.

Also detached andand outbuildings.

Renovate/ Also detached outbuildings. Renovate/ rebuild.

Beautifulgarage uniqueand location. rebuild. Beautiful unique location.

Ann Olivo & Chris Moore Ann Olivo & Chris Moore

$800,000 $800,000

Hamilton Price Upon Request Hamilton Price Upon Request “Top Hill” - 1936 custom-designed Colonial on 23

Hamilton $3,500,000 Hamilton $3,500,000 Exquisite Estate. 11+ acres in horse country with

Hamilton $1,679,000 Hamilton $1,679,000 Spectacular estate, set on over 5 acres with hilltop views,

Manchester $1,148,000 Manchester $1,148,000 Gracious Colonial on 2+ acres. Versatile floor plan and

Manchester $1,100,000 Manchester $1,100,000 Stylish Contemporary with wrap-around farmer’s

Rockport $895,000 Rockport $895,000 Lovely Cape near Cape Hedge Beach. Charming

Wenham $1,100,000 Wenham $1,100,000 Stately Colonial on 7+ acres with 2 barns, pond. This

Exquisite Estate.

11+ Features acres ininclude horse chef country with direct access to trails. ’s kitchen, direct access6tobedrooms trails. Features chef ’sin-ground kitchen, 3 fireplaces, and 4.2include baths. Also 3 fireplaces, 6 bedrooms pool, tennis court, barn. and 4.2 baths. Also in-ground pool, tennis court, barn.

Josephine Baker Josephine Baker

Stylish Contemporary farmer’s porch. Offers flexible floorwith plan, 5wrap-around bedrooms, 3.5-baths, porch.

Offers flexible floor plan, 3.5-baths, fireplaced Great Room, home5 bedrooms, office, in-law suite. fireplaced Great Room, Beautiful landscaped privatehome lot. office, in-law suite.

Beautiful landscaped private lot.

Mandy Sheriff Mandy Sheriff

Gloucester Gloucester

& & C CO OM M PA PA N NY Y

Spectacular estate, setkitchen, on over 5fireplaces acres withinhilltop views, features a designer the living, features designerroom, kitchen, fireplaces in the dining, &a family a luxurious master suiteliving, plus dining, & family room,and a luxurious master suite plus four en suite bedrooms au pair suite. four en suite bedrooms and au pair suite.

Maureen Remington Maureen Remington

Lovely Cape near Beach.

Charming 4-bed, 3-bath home Cape offers Hedge hardwood floors, paneled 4-bed, home hardwood paneled walls, 33-bath fireplaces.

Alloffers 2nd level roomsfloors, have views of walls, 3 fireplaces.

All 2nd level rooms have views of Thatcher Island. Heated 2-car garage.

Thatcher Island. Heated 2-car garage.

Ann Olivo & Chris Moore Ann Olivo & Chris Moore

“Top - 1936 custom-designed Colonial library, on 23 acres. Hill” Renovated with new kitchen, fireplaced acres. with new kitchen, living,Renovated dining rooms, 4 en suite fireplaced bedrooms,library, 3-car living, diningandrooms, en suite bedrooms, 3-car garage, guest garden4houses. garage, guest and garden houses.

Mandy Sheriff Mandy Sheriff

Gracious Colonialinon 2+four-bed acres. Versatile floor plan and classic character this with updated eat-in classic in thisfireplaced four-bed living with updated eat-in kitchen,character dining room, room, library/ kitchen, dining room, fireplaced den, 1st-floor guest room, office. living room, library/ den, 1st-floor guest room, office.

Holly Fabyan Holly Fabyan

Stately Colonial5-bedrooms, on 7+ acres with 2 barns,2pond.

This home features 4 ½-baths, fireplaces, home features 5-bedrooms, 4 ½-baths, fireplaces, sunroom.

Master suite with His ‘n’ Hers 2offices, 3rdsunroom.

Master suite floor au pair/guest suite.with His ‘n’ Hers offices, 3rdfloor au pair/guest suite.

Mimi Pruett Mimi Pruett

The The North North Shore’s Shore’s Premier Premier Real Real Estate Estate Agency Agency www.jbarrettrealty.com www.jbarrettrealty.com

Prides Crossing 978.922.2700 • Beverly 978.922.3683 • Ipswich 978.356.3444 Prides Crossing 978.922.2700 • Beverly 978.922.3683 • Ipswich 978.356.3444 Gloucester 978.282.1315 • Manchester-by-the-Sea 978.526.8555 • Marblehead 781.631.9800 Gloucester 978.282.1315 • Manchester-by-the-Sea 978.526.8555 • Marblehead 781.631.9800

Thomas Tirrell Riquier, CFP®, CLU Your Local Ed Slott Master Elite IRA Advisor GroupSM Member

Thomas T. Riquier, CFP®, CLU

is a Certified finanCial Planner Professional, an Ed Slott Master Elite IRA Advisor GroupSM member, and has been in business on the North Shore for more than 43 years. tM

Tom completed the rigorous requirements to become a member of Ed Slott’s Master Elite IRA Advisor GroupSM to remain up-todate about IRA laws and rulings because IRAs are different from all other assets. He leads Classes at the Barn to help people better understand the complicated areas of IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and

The Retirement Financial Center

is a local financial services firm committed to helping pre-retirees and retirees plan for the retirement they envision. Tom and his team are dedicated to providing the sound guidance, education and expertise required in every phase of wealth management and retirement income planning.

Call 978-777-5000 for a no fee first appointment and answers to your questions. Visit our website for details about upcoming Classes at the Barn and important Ed Slott White Papers.

pensions.

Since he believes education is critical to making good financial decisions, Tom offers a variety of Retirement Planning Classes and Economic Summits.

The Retirement Financial Center 10 Liberty Street, Suite 316, Danvers, MA 01923

978-777-5000

www.RetirementCtr.com

Thomas T. Riquier, CFP®, CLU is an Investment Advisory Representative offering Securities and Advisory Services through United Planners Financial Services. Member: FINRA, SIPC. The Retirement Financial Center and United Planners are independent companies.

Editor’s Letter

E

very year around the holidays, we are treated to national and local traditions that remind us of the special nature of the end of one year and start of the next. We’ll watch classic animated specials like “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The famous “Is There a Santa Claus?” editorial will be reprinted along with its historic “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” reply.

We’ll take in local events like the Rockport Holiday Gallery Stroll and various first night celebrations. We’ll throw snowballs, build snowmen, go sledding and take ski trips.

Our friends and neighbors will decorate Christmas trees, adorn their homes with lights, put up mangers, and light menorahs and kinara candles. They will attend special events at local houses of worship. And they’ll shop, even if a lot of it is done online.

More than anything, though, we’ll all take the time to remark on just how wonderful is this time of year. It is a time of remembrance and renewal. It is a time “when we all act a little nicer. We...we smile a little easier. We...we...share a little more. For a couple of hours we are the people we always hoped we would be. It’s really a miracle because it happens every Christmas Eve. And if you waste that miracle, you’re gonna burn for it. I know. You have to do something. You have to take a chance and get involved.” (All the credit in the world for that to Mr. Bill Murray and the holiday classic “Scrooged.”)

Far too soon, we’ll go back to the daily grind. We’ll start swearing at other drivers on the road. We’ll get mad at our families, or we’ll be ticked off about something that happened at work. We’ll forget all about the things that make this time of year something that moves us to be the best selves we can be, and we won’t give as much of ourselves to world as we could.

We’ll waste our time with New Year’s Resolutions that we’ll ditch in two weeks.

We’ll forget all about the touching gesture of a well-thought, personalized gift and wish it had been something more practical. We’ll worry about ISIS and Ebola, or whatever else the 24-hour news cycle is pushing in front of our faces.

Be the person you always hoped you would be this December. But when December starts to fade into January and the forces of daily life try to make you forget, stop to remember. Be the person you always hoped you would be in 2015, every day.

december 2014 publisher PUBLISHER publisher Rick Prettyman | RPrettyman@LifestylePubs.com editor

Eric Slack | ESlack@LifestylePubs.com

contributing writers Samantha Porter, Bethany Tomich, Woodrow D. Weasel

Published monthly, subscriptions are: 1 year for $22 or 2 years for $39.

Visit LifestylePubs.com

corporate team chief executive officer | Steven Schowengerdt chief sales officer | Matthew Perry chief financial officer | DeLand Shore regional sales director | Jim Newman production director | Christina Sandberg director of marketing | Brad Broockerd art director | Sara Minor ad coordinators | Cyndi Vreeland, Samantha Engel layout designer | Liesl Poet copy editor | Kendra Mathewson executive assistant | Lori Cunningham application architect | Michael O’Connell it director | Randy Aufderheide

Eric Slack , Editor ESlack@LifestylePubs.com

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Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

talk to us

P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 Proverbs 3:5-6 Cape Ann Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Cape Ann’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Cape Ann Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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CALL NOW FOR A FREE, NO - OBLIGATION ESTIMATE: 978-276-1276 Proudly serving Cape Ann since 1995.

December 2014

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Departments 8

Good Times

10

Around Town

11

Tech Today

12

Hot Spot

14

Home Matters

22

Terrific Teacher

24

Locally Owned

26

Driver’s Notebook

28

What’s Cooking?

29

Sold Properties

30 Lifestyle Calendar

16 Eye for Design

Stylish interior design options can be found at Timeless Interiors

and Gifts.

34

Parting Thoughts

20 Giving Back

In the season of giving, remember the local non-profits serving

our communities year round.

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Lifestyle Publications Massachusetts | Colorado | California | Arizona | Texas | Missouri | Kansas | Georgia | Indiana | Oklahoma

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Made in New England!

Blue River Lestage Convertible Collection Starting at $169.99 Over 50% of our jewelry is made in New England! Come in and experience the Blue River Diamonds difference!

Liberty Tree Mall Danvers, MA 978-646-8988

One of the many great Holiday gifts available at Blue River Diamonds!

189 Main St. Gloucester, MA 978-865-3872

www.blueriverdiamonds.com

10% OFF all new jobs leading up to the holiday season HARDWOOD FLOORS, Inc

www.cfchardwoodfloors.com

978-290-9110 •HEPA Dust Containment System •Exotic Species •HIC License #289115 •Borders & Medallions •NWFA Certified Installer/Finisher •EPA RRP Certified Renovator

December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle

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Good Times

Ruth Hamill Hall-Haskell House Gallery Exhibition

Hall-Haskell House Gallery in Ipswich was the location of an exhibit and artist reception for Manchester-by-the-Sea’s Ruth Hamill, featuring paintings from her “At the Shore” collection.

Clara and Amy Tuttle of Manchester

Paul Rodhe of Manchester

Francoise and Hugues DeLaforcade and Stephanie and Henri Bichet (left to right)

Ed Dulski of Manchester and Janice Eaton Updike of Newburyport

Ed Dulski with his wife, artist Ruth Hamill of Manchester

Muzio Designs at the Ba r n in Esse x

Fabulous finds at Muzio Designs takes consignment shopping to a higher level: home furnishings, fine art and our in-house design workroom producing custom pillows, table linens and bedding by Sara Peckham.

Prior to establishing Muzio Designs at the Barn in Essex, I have previously worked as a designer for White Flower Farm, William Sonoma and Crate and Barrel, as well as owning a home furnishings, antiques and design shop in Lexington, MA. My extensive experience with color and design, combined with my natural artistic instincts, brings expertise to every project. I have partnered with Landry&Arcari Rugs, furniture and lighting companies bringing my trade discount to my customers.

We can help you whether your goal is needing new or “gently used” home furnishings, a fresh color palette, or making better use of a particular space with items you already possess.

Please stop by the barn. Bentley would love to see you.

55 Joh n Wise Av en u e E sse x , M A 01929 M o n .- S a t . 10 a- 5p | Tu e s . C l o s e d | S u n . 12 p - 5p

Su s a n Mu z io Bl a ke

Colorist and Design Consultant

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Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

9 78 . 8 9 0 . 7 1 6 0 susan@muziodesigns.com

Glen Urquhart School Events

Beverly’s Glen Urquhart School recently took part in some memorable events, including hosting the pumpkin painting table at Appleton Family Farm Day and hosting the 14th Annual Wild Boar Classic Golf Tournament at Essex County Club.

Robert A. Russo, D.M.D. Marny L. Williams, D.D.S.

Serving the

Beautiful Smiles

of Cape Ann Families for Over 40 Years 321 Washington Street • Gloucester, MA 01930

• • •

general & cosmetic dentistry evening hours available zoom! whitening Schedule your appointment today!

Call 978.281.1337 or visit www.DentalassociatesGloucester.com

December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle

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Around Town WINDOVER WINS Windover Construction of Beverly recently received multiple awards recognizing its work, including the Excellence in Construction Award from the Massachusetts Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and two PRISM Awards from the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB).

The Excellence in Construction program is the premier competition within the construction industry that recognizes outstanding projects. Among other criteria, entrants are considered based on quality, complexity and effective utilization of resources; project safety; and the recommendations of third parties involved in the project. The panel of judges represents a cross section of construction industry experts, including owners, architects, engineers, and other industry leaders.

Windover was selected for The Gerrish School of Business and The Judge Science Center, a 67,000-square-foot facility and a focal point for the Endicott College campus, which promotes departmental collaboration and illustrates the college’s innovation in attracting leading research talent. Featuring state-of-the-art learning, meeting spaces, and advanced computer labs, the facility, which was completed ahead of schedule and on budget, advances learning in both business and life sciences.

The PRISM Awards recognize the finest projects and outstanding achievements of the home building industry. A national panel of distinguished industry professionals awarded Windover Construction with the silver award for “Best Rental Community” for its work on Enterprise Apartments in Beverly, and the silver award for “Community Spirit” for ongoing philanthropic efforts.

“We are very pleased to receive such well-respected awards,” Windover President Lee Dellicker says. “We are proud of our work and it is very rewarding to our team to be acknowledged in this way.”

LOCAL GIFT IDEA The holiday season can be a difficult time to find just the right gift for the important people in your lives. Although everyone enjoys the practical nature of a gift certificate, why not look for something original and local this year?

Check out Not for Navigation, a Cape Ann company that was created based on a love of travel, road trips, salty air, boutiques, boating and nature. Started by founder Heather Jernegan, Not for Navigation has blended fashion and functionality to offer a line of custom-designed bags, pillows and accessories that look great, stand up to the elements, and are 100 percent customize-able.

“We create canvas bags, pillows and accessories that are decorated with a topographical map or nautical chart customized to a specific area,” Jernegan says. “Our shop is located in Essex, and it’s where all our work is done. All our products are fun and unique.

They make great personalized gifts for holidays, birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. We also sell to retail shops, resorts and yacht clubs and marinas throughout the country.”

Not for Navigation’s products are crafted from fine materials, from water-resistant nylon linings to the durable canvas bodies. The customization process is pretty straightforward. Visit NotForNavigation. com to choose your design, pick your location and choose your customization before reviewing an electronic proof of your final design for approval before production. Custom orders typically take two to three weeks, shipping typically in three to five business days after completion. For expedited orders, contact heather@notfornavigation.com.

MIND AND BODY Just in time for the holiday gift giving season, BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa in Beverly announces its all-new Mind/Body Membership program that offers discounted monthly services and special discounts on the products your loved ones need to maintain their beauty and wellness regimen at home.

Be sure to sign yourself or a loved one up for this innovative and nurturing new program. Show your loved ones how much you care this holiday season and give a BodiScience Mind/Body Membership as a gift of wellness that keeps giving all year round.

Visit BodiScience.com for details.

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Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

Tech Today

Prep Your Devices for Travel T

he busiest travel weekend of the year is just around the corner and a smart traveler knows that before you hit the road here in the U.S. or head overseas, you do some planning and prep.

Wardrobe, medications, itinerary- but what about your phone?

Have you made sure you’re maximizing your phone’s usefulness and minimizing your costs? These travel prep tips will help you get the most out of your phone and help you save money.

Get the Right Gear

Smartphone? Tablet? Both? - Depending on the length of your trip, consider whether you need to bring all your devices, or just a few. Today’s smartphones are mini-computers with access to maps, powerful mini-cameras, and tons of entertainment apps. If you want to travel light, consider leaving the camera and tablet at home and invest in upgrading to a larger screened smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy S5 or the LG G3.

Chargers - For overseas travel, invest in an extra charger with an international plug for the region where you are traveling or look for adapters that will let you charge in multiple countries. You may want to look for one with a surge protector built in. Other options are wireless charging pads or USB battery packs. Check out T-Mobile.com for the best travel accessories for your device.

Check Your Data Plan

You’ll probably use a lot more data than usual when you’re traveling. Make sure you have the right data plan to cover those map downloads and Facebook photo posts. Internationally, calling and texting back home can be expensive and can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars a day or more. To call and text while traveling, you have a few options: Check your plan - Call your network provider and find out what

you already pay for and if you need to do anything to beef up your data. If you have a Simple Choice plan from T-Mobile, unlimited data and texting is already included in your plan at no additional cost in 120+ countries and destinations.

Turn Off Data Roaming - If you’re not with T-Mobile, avoid hefty fees by turning off data roaming on your phone under “settings”. It will save you money, but severely limits your communication options.

Use Wi-Fi - Whether traveling in the U.S. or abroad, Wi-Fi is pretty much everywhere in the world and many of today’s new smartphones are equipped with Wi-Fi Calling capabilities. In the U.S., you can use Wi-Fi at coffee shops, hotels and even campsites. When traveling abroad, use local Wi-Fi to make unlimited, free calls back to the States from virtually anywhere. You can also boost your Wi-Fi coverage at home with a T-Mobile Personal CellSpot to make sure you get full-bar coverage.

Stock up On Apps

As always, make sure your phone is loaded up with the right apps for the best connection everywhere you go.

Free Wi-Fi Finder - You’ll never be without the proper connection with this useful app, which scans your current location for Wi-Fi hotspots nearby.

GoGo Talk and Text - Stay in touch in flight! GoGo is offering free, unlimited texting and visual voicemail access on all U.S.based airline flights exclusively to T-Mobile customers.

HopStop - Get all your public transportation options at your fingertips. You’ll find information on metros and buses, biking and walking directions, and maps to help you get around.

To get more smart ways to use your smartphone while on the go, visit T-Mobile.com.

December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle

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Hot Spot

Family Atmosphere Classic New England fare and a welcoming tone make Cala’s an ideal destination Article Samantha Porter | Photography Provided

C

ala’s exudes local flavor with an ambiance that is “Cheers” casual. It’s the kind of place where regulars and newcomers are treated like family. Located in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Cala’s even has its own Sam Malone in manager Scott Blatchford, a fixture behind the bar who will often have regulars’ drinks waiting by their seat when they walk in.

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Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

The comfort food menu is rooted in classic New England flavors with lobsters caught right off of the shore by one of the restaurant’s favorite regulars. Come in for one of his lobster rolls on a Wednesday and it’s just $10.99.

Cala’s Fried Calamari tossed with sweet ginger soy sauce with pickled shishito peppers and grilled scallions, and the Pulled Pork Quesadilla with three cheeses, sautéed onions and roasted peppers, are appetizers ideal for sharing.

Entrees like the Porcini Crusted Scallops with wild mushroom risotto, black pepper truffle oil and fried basil, the Pan Seared Salmon with winter vegetable succotash and parsnip puree, and the Pan Roasted Chicken Breast with sausage and walnut stuffing are perfect on a crisp late fall night. The restaurant boasts an array of vegetarian options like the Pumpkin & Squash Ravioli with Brussels sprouts, celery root puree, toasted walnut breadcrumbs and sage brown butter.

Cala’s is also open for lunch with an array

get one half off pizza Mondays. Plus kids eat free on Tuesdays (with the purchase of one adult entrée), making it the perfect night to skip cooking and take the whole out for dinner.

The wait staff exudes local charm at this neighborhood joint with the beers are always cold, the wine pour is never skimpy and the drinks are worth the wait for a much-coveted seat at the bar. And if Manchester’s own Sam Malone doesn’t know your name when you walk in, he’ll likely know it by the time you leave. of salads and sandwiches perfect for any occasion, from a quick meeting to a leisurely lunch over one of the restaurant’s many wines by the glass. The Fish Tacos never disappoint and the Arugula Salad with grilled sweet potatoes, salted sunflower seeds, chèvre goat cheese and maple cider vinaigrette, is a meal in itself.

For desserts, try the Caramel Banana Cream Tart set in a chocolate crust from Sticky Fingers Bakery in Gloucester or the Vanilla Bean Crumb Brulee, which is also gluten free.

But, if you want an insider tip, you should order off the chalkboard. The specials rotate weekly and are really where the chef shows off his creativity.

The atmosphere at Cala’s is inviting with warm tones and a “Flip Flop Friendly” sign that hangs proudly, even in the middle of winter. The restaurant’s location, in the heart of Manchester-by-the-Sea, right near the train station, makes it an après work destination for commuters, many of whom will come back with their families for dinner.

Cala’s also has nightly happenings. In addition to the lobster roll special on Wednesdays, Cala’s offers fish fry Thursdays, 50 cent wing Sundays and buy one

Cala’s

7 Beach St. Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 978.525.3304 CalasRestaurant.com

Dedicated to Hope, Healing and Recovery Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a beautiful, modern facility offering short-term and long-term rehabilitation programs, dedicated Alzheimer’s unit, respite stays available, complete medical and skilled nursing care.

Call us for a tour today!

292 Washington St, Gloucester 01930 978.283.0300 Seacoast_CapeAnnMag_1/3pg ad.indd 1

December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle 13 5/30/14 10:33 AM

Home Matters

Mid-Winter Gardening Checklist Article Woodrow D. Weasel

W

hile you may still see snow on the ground or feel the chill of winter in the air, you can be working on your garden from the comfort of your favorite chair by the fire. Picturing, planning and preparing make me feel productive even when I’m not actually in the garden. Here are some things I do indoors so I am prepared when the weather allows me to work outdoors.

Picturing

Now is a great time to imagine what you’d like to do in your gardens and landscapes this year.

Dream – All year long I peruse pictures of flowers and gardens that appeal to me online, in magazines and catalogues. Now I look seriously at the ideas I’ve collected in a notebook, and draw out on paper what I’d like to grow this year. I literal14

Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

ly sketch out every garden as well as my lawn. If I’ve already drawn up plans, I now review them.

Shop – I make lists of what I want to buy and then find the best places to purchase them. Sometimes this is from a catalogue, sometimes it’s trading out with a friend, and other resources include local nurseries or coop extension offices. My list also includes tools I want to add to my repertoire.

GardenWeasel.com is a great resource for tools. Loosening the soil, turning it to give it some air and moisture will also be one of the first outdoor tasks, so you’ll want to make sure you have a long-handled, tined cultivator like Garden Weasel. One of the first things I do when the weather allows is prep my soil with compost. Cotton boll compost and worm castings are at the top of my shopping list.

Shopping starts now so I can spread out my expenses over several months.

Planning

Do the Math – I measure the dimensions of different areas of my garden and lawn so that I can easily and accurately calculate whatever I will need to purchase— seed, compost, fertilizer, etc. I take this with me when I go shopping, and have it handy, so that I can do the math based on the instructions on packages. Some of the math calculations can be done before I leave the house.

Research and Document– Now is also a great time to research the climate and weather to see what experts say about what will grow well in my area. Pruning and removing protection from plants at the wrong time can be problematic.

Preparing

I also research topics I want to learn more about, like studying soil amendments to create the ideal growing environment, learning more about organic fertilizers, or discovering tips about how to nurture a certain type of flower I’ve always wanted to grow.

Keeping a gardening journal is so helpful.

Marking the date and weather conditions of gardening tasks each year helps you manage the chores in the future.

Another research project to do now is check your soil. Buy a pH kit yourself or take a soil sample to your local extension.

I also double check my catalog order shipping dates from previously placed orders so that I know when they are scheduled to arrive and I can be prepared.

Sharpen and Clean. If I didn’t do this at the end of the season, I do it now. Checking for rust and removing it, doing an inventory to see if anything needs to be replaced, and making repairs are all great indoor garden tasks. This includes making sure my pruning shears are sharp since that chore is just around the corner.

I don’t know about you, but I feel encouraged at this point to know that much of the invisible work being done in winter is actually productive. Did you know that the melting snow actually delivers not just moisture to the soil but also nitrogen? Though we may not see everything that’s going on in nature to prepare our gardens, we can contribute ourselves by checking off the things on our list that we can do now to help, too.

Woodrow D. Weasel is the resident gardening expert for Garden Weasel tools. Find more gardening tips at GroundBreakingTips.com. Garden Weasel also offers a variety of helpful tools at GardenWeasel.com.

December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle

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Eye for Design

Stylish interior design options can be found at Timeless Interiors and Gifts.

article Bethany Tomich Photography Provided

‘T

is the season for nesting. With warm fires aglow and a distinct chill outside, our eyes are a bit more attuned to our homes. Home design is a unique process, where the careful selection of furniture, lighting and accessories can combine to elevate a home from plain to amazing all year long. What better time to add to your collection then by shopping at a local business with carefully selected accessories and furniture like Timeless Interiors and Gifts in Hamilton?

Owners Martha Gardner and Leigh Flaherty have an eye for stylish interior design.

Timeless Interiors and Gifts’ collection includes beautiful, high-quality furniture, custom tailored benchmade upholstery, eclectic lamps, rugs, accessories and gifts.

By mixing their expert style-sense and eyes for layering colors, fabrics, textures and lighting with their expertise as interior designers, Gardner and Flaherty have created a beautiful store for visitors to pick up anything for the home.

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Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

Home decorating is much more than choosing complimentary colors and making sure there is enough seating and tables to place a drink; home décor is about creating a space you and your family love to come home to.

“Our purchasing is about making careful choices to provide our customers with the best options for their home,” says Flaherty.

In addition to their collections, Gardner, Flaherty and their team offer complimentary in-home consultations, space and floor planning as well as model and empty home staging. Additionally, Timeless Interiors and Gifts offer several customized services including slipcovers, custom draperies and window treatments, re-upholstery and custom bedding. With so many aspects of design in one place, Timeless Interiors and Gifts is truly one of the North Shore’s gems.

“We enjoy the process of design, and watching ideas emerge into wonderful spaces,” says Gardner. “We attend several tradeshows a year to stay on top of current design trends.”

“We carefully listen to our clients, their likes and dislikes, and work with them to find elements that blend classic design principles with quality they will enjoy for years.” Gardner says, adding that curating their collection is a careful process, just like decorating your own home. “It’s true that some of the most beautiful homes are those with pieces gathered over time. Comfort at home is much more than design, it is about enjoying your collection and adding to it over time. We layer those with classic pieces to give our clients a sense of what their homes can look and feel like.” continued >

December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle

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timeless interiors

PERFECTION is in every detail at

Summer Hill Two Phase I homes available and ready to move in!

Six Phase II homes under construction.

Come by and reserve your home today!

(continued)

The Timeless Interiors and Gifts tradition started in 1998. Originally in Prides Crossing and now nestled in downtown Hamilton, Timeless Interiors and Gifts’ tastefully appointed store serves clients all over the North Shore. Whether you are seeking a specific item for your home or just dropping in for design inspiration, Timeless Interiors and Gifts has something for each stage of the interior design process.

For the holidays, Timeless Interiors carries a wide selection of seasonal decor that you will be sure to pull out year after year. Timeless Interiors sells its furniture right off the floor, and it is the place to visit if you’re in need of a quick fix for instant decorating for the holidays.

Timeless Interiors will be open Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m. between Thanksgiving and Christmas. A trip to Timeless Interiors and Gifts is a treat for the eyes and senses. It provides inspiration and excitement about your home and that the possibilities for design are endless. Creating a space you love is easy when incorporating the pieces and style from Gardner and Flaherty, as their careful eye can help you create a home where design and comfort melt into one beautiful place to relax and enjoy year-round.

Twelve unique homes. Built with the best environmental practices.

Featuring every amenity, from chef’s kitchens and hardwood floors to elegant moldings.

Priced from $1,570,000 to $1,870,000.

Live the Summer

Hill

life – reserve your home today.

OPEN HOUSE every Sunday from 12noon to 4pm.

Details Timeless Interiors and Gifts 52 Railroad Avenue South Hamilton 978.468.1141

601 Summer Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea www.SummerHillManchester.com Contact Sandy Carpentier or Lynne Saporito of J Barrett & Company at 978-821-4563.

18

Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

Built by

TimelessInteriorsAndGifts.com Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m

Timeless design and a relaxed palette blend effortlessly to create an exceptional home environment...where your family can live, entertain, or simply escape to.

What’s on our Website?

Please visit our showroom or phone to inquire about our complimentary design service.

ü past issues ü Current Articles ü business directory ü contest registration

get your news in our public publications Visit us often at CapeAnnLifestyle.com

Monday-Saturday 9:30-5 52 Railroad Avenue, Hamilton, MA 978.468.1141 www.timelessinteriorsandgifts.com December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle

19

In the season of giving, remember the local non-profits serving our communities year round. article Bethany Tomich | Photography Provided

I

t’s easy to drop some change in the red tin on your way into a store.

But not all charities committed to helping the folks on Cape Ann are ringing bells to remind us that they, too, need your help this holiday season. We’ve gathered some information on local charities that support the Cape Ann community and the best ways to support them this holiday season and throughout the year.

The Open Door

The mission of The Open Door in Gloucester is to alleviate the impact of hunger in our community. Based in Gloucester and serving several Cape Ann communities, The Open Door uses practical strategies to connect people to good food, to advocate for those in need, and to engage others in the work of Food Security.

The Open Door runs a food pantry and hosts the Community Meal to provide hot meals to Cape Ann community members. The Second Glance Thrift Store provides clothing and home goods at reduced costs, and the Mobile Market is a free farmer’s market providing fresh produce and groceries at four neighborhood-based, two school-based and two senior center-based locations on Cape Ann and in Ipswich.

20

Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

How to Help:

Join the Good Egg Club by choosing an amount you can comfortably give each month. Your donation can help make a difference in the lives of hungry people at the holidays and throughout the year.

Donate a Holiday Meal for a family in need. By donating $25, you will cover the cost of a holiday meal basket for a family in need this holiday season. The Holiday Meal basket includes turkey, stuffing, potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, apples, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and gravy.

Donate food or start a collection site. Each month, The Open Door distributes more than 60,000 pounds of food through its food pantry and Mobile Market locations.

Contact The Open Door to help at info@foodpantry.org or 978.283.6776 or visit their website at FoodPantry.org.

Cape Ann Trail Stewards

We are a community of hikers and meanderers. The tremendous ecological backdrop of Cape Ann is one of our greatest features.

The team at Cape Ann Trail Stewards, founded in 2012, knows this

and helps to maintain existing trails, improve access and promote the responsible and safe use of the Cape Ann trail system and recreational areas. Cape Ann Trail Stewards works with municipalities and like-minded conservation organizations to protect and preserve land for its recreational and ecological values. Cape Ann Trail Stewards promotes the understanding of the wildlife and natural resources of our woodlands and wetlands.

How to Help:

Cape Ann Trail Stewards work with landowners and municipalities to identify properties in need of stewardship and teams with several other great Cape Ann organizations to help preserve and promote our beautiful environment. Volunteers work with the team at Cape Ann Trail Stewards to adopt a trail or in many other facets, from accounting to fundraising. Donating your time is free and there are so many ways to help. Or make a tax-deductible monetary donation in support of Cape Ann Trail Stewards.

Contact the Cape Ann Trail Stewards by visiting their website at CapeAnnTrailStewards.org or contact@capeanntrailstewards.org Rockport Music

For more than 30 years, Rockport Music has been committed to one enduring purpose – enriching lives through great music. Rockport Music presents exceptional musical performances and events year round, including the acclaimed Rockport Chamber Music Festival. Rockport Music also presents classical, jazz, folk, pop, and world music, as well as a film series and HD broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera and England’s National Theatre. Rockport Music’s home is the state-of-the-art Shalin Liu Performance Center in downtown Rockport. In addition to the world class performances hosted by Rockport Music, the organization provides several educational enrichment programs that reach more than 9,000 students each year. From free community concerts and in-school musician residency programs to lectures and master classes for adults, Rockport Music is dedicated to fostering an appreciation of music through accessible programs for people of all ages.

How to Help:

Help by making a monetary gift or donating resources to keep the shelter running. From office and cleaning supplies to pet supplies, Cape Ann Animal Aid appreciates any support in its efforts to care for homeless animals.

Donate your time through volunteering. Work to care for shelter animals, greet adopters, help maintain the facility or work in the community to raise awareness for Cape Ann Animal Aid. Through its Food for Pets Program, donations of cat and dog food that are collected at the shelter and not used by sheltered animals are regularly distributed to families in need within the community to ensure that they are able to keep their animal companions.

Contact Cape Ann Animal Aid at 978.283.6055, info@capeannanimalaid. com, or visit them online at CapeAnnAnimalAid.org.

Cape Ann Art Haven

Cape Ann Art Haven is a community space where artists of all ages and abilities are encouraged to develop creativity and confidence through hands on learning and collaboration. Started in July 2008 to serve the students of Gloucester after budget cuts forced the reduction of art programs in public schools, Art Haven has grown to not only provide after school programs but also offer community events that get kids and adults excited about the arts on Cape Ann. From ice sculpture to buoy painting, community events are a great way for Cape Ann residents of all ages to get excited about the arts.

In 2012, Art Haven opened a creative community center called The Hive at 11 Pleasant Street in Gloucester. The Hive includes brand new pottery wheels, an Apple computer lab, classroom space, a fashion design studio, a screen printing facility, a function room and gallery/cinema room, and TAG studios.

How to Help:

Cape Ann Art Haven is always in need of supplies and support for our youth so it can ensure that opportunities, resources and support are available to those who need it the most. Donate online by visiting ArtHaven.org or call 978.283.3888.

How to Help:

When you make your gift to Rockport Music, you demonstrate your commitment to bringing great live music experiences and unprecedented musical education to the Cape Ann community and beyond. To make a donation, contact Rockport Music at 978.546.7391 x 113 or visit them online at RockportMusic.org.

Cape Ann Animal Aid

Cape Ann Animal Aid is a non-profit, no-kill organization dedicated to facilitating appropriate placement of adoptable animals and enhancing the lives of all companion animals by promoting respect and well being through education and outreach. Started in 1964, Cape Ann Animal Aid makes the rescue of local cats and dogs its first priority. Specially trained staff and volunteers spend time handling, grooming, socializing, training and interacting with each animal. All animals are spayed or neutered prior to adoption, and Cape Ann Animal Aid works closely with area vets to make sure that each animal receives routine and special medical care when needed.

December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle

21

Terrific Teacher

Learning Through Sport Athletic Director Bruce Emerson is one of many fine educators at the Glen Urquhart School article Eric Slack | Photography Provided

N

estled in a quiet neighborhood on Hart Street in Beverly Farms between the beach and 128 is Glen Urquhart School (GUS), an independent, co-educational K-8 day school serving 228 students from communities all over the North Shore. Among the first class educators shaping young minds from within the welcoming GUS community is Athletic Director Bruce Emerson, a Cape Ann native who has been in education for more than 30 years.

“I have been here for 23 years, and it still amazes me how much we are able to accomplish not only each year, but each day,” Emerson says. The GUS experience

22

Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

for kids is all-inclusive; they get to do it all.

Kids do not have to choose between classes, everyone does them all, which leads to well-rounded kids and gives each the opportunity to shine.”

Born and raised in Rockport, where he still resides, Emerson is a product of the Rockport Public Schools system and a graduate of Rockport High School and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he captained the baseball team and majored in physical education.

He began his career teaching physical education in Rockport in the fall of 1983 before moving to GUS in the fall of 1992 where he has been ever since.

Emerson teaches physical education for grades K-5 and runs the athletic program for grades 6-8. He is responsible for hiring coaches, creating and maintaining team schedules, hiring referees and officials, contracting bus services, taking care of the uniforms and overseeing athletic facilities. He also coaches several sports, teaches

homeroom and sixth grade life skills, and coordinates and leads several overnight trips that involve all the students.

“I get to interact with the students in a variety of ways,” Emerson says. “Along with the coaches, I try to make sure that each of our students has the chance to experience success as an athlete and enjoys their experience on a GUS team. At GUS, sports are not an extra-curricular. They are part of the program, meaning that every student takes part in sports.”

Because athletics is part of the school’s programming, it is part of the fabric of the school and connected to the overall GUS mission in the same way as art, music, dance, math, humanities and every other subject. At GUS, all sixth grade students participate in soccer, basketball and lacrosse. For students in seventh and eight grades, there is a choice each season. In the fall, they can play on the boys or girls soccer team or run cross country. In the winter, they can play on their grade level basketball team or join a fitness program.

In the spring, GUS offers boys and girls lacrosse along with track and field.

Because GUS athletics are part of the curriculum, the athletic experience

Today’s Pingree includes some students who are very involved and highly skilled in athletics outside of school and others who are part of a sports team for the first time.

Emerson believes this approach is successful because the GUS culture is inclusive and non-judgmental.

“There are many students who would never try a sport if it were an option to them and therefore may never find that they can learn so much about themselves and their teammates through sports,” Emerson says. “I think that athletics can have a great impact on a student’s pursuit of education. They become more physically fit, which helps them lead a healthy lifestyle.

They learn valuable lessons about how to rely on others and have others rely on them. They learn to be a good teammate, how to win and lose, and how to be a good sport. All of these things help them with their interpersonal skills, which carries over to the classroom.”

After many years as an educator, Emerson believes a terrific teacher is a caring person who takes the time to really understand their students, someone who gets to know them not just a student but also as a person.

“I think that you need to build a relationship with the student and hopefully their family as well,” Emerson says. “That way you will have a better understanding of who the student is, which will help you understand how to best teach them.”

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537 Highland Street | South Hamilton, MA | 978-468-4415 | www.pingree.org December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle

23

Locally Owned

Hardwood Heroics CFC Hardwood Floors understands how to create hardwood floors that stand the test of time article Bethany Tomich | Photography Provided

H

ardwood f loors are one of the most important and beautiful investments we can make in our home. And if installed correctly, they will last for years. CFC Hardwood Floors, Inc., based in Magnolia and serving Cape Ann, provides high quality, durable, long lasting hardwood f loors that will be enjoyed for a lifetime.

Chris Pester, the owner of CFC Hardwood Floors, Inc., knows that each floor and each house is different and is committed to providing homeowners with the highest quality hardwood floors available.

“The first thing we do when we enter a home is place a blanket down on the floor,” Pester says. “It’s important to us to demonstrate to each homeowner that we respect their home and will do a proper job from the start.”

Living in Magnolia, Pester knows the challenges of maintaining wood flooring in Cape Ann. “We have hot, humid summers and dry winters,” he says. “Installing and maintaining a hardwood floor in these conditions so it lasts a lifetime is a careful process. We work with clients to educate them about the best care and treatment for their floors to ensure that they are happy year round.”

24

Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

Born in Surrey, England, Pester moved to Gloucester more than nine years ago.

“Cape Ann is a microcosm of society,” he says. “It has a great history and is a beautiful place to live. I’ve traveled the world, but I’ve never felt more at home than I do in Cape Ann.” CFC Hardwood Floors, Inc. begins its client relationship with a free 30- to 60-minute consultation. Pester’s broad knowledge means that CFC works with not only the popular domestic species such as Red and White Oak, Maple, Fir and Pine but also exotic wood floors like Santos Mahogany and Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) and prefinished or engineered flooring. Pester and his team of incredibly talented craftsmen can incorporate beautiful borders and medallions into their work. A job isn’t finished until the stain and finish are chosen. Pester and his team can provide a rainbow of stains to meet their clients’ needs and finishes including oil or water-based polyurethane or hardwax oils.

Winter, spring, summer or fall, hardwood flooring installation or refinishing can be done by CFC Hardwood Floors, Inc. Other flooring installers and refinishers will sometimes use cumbersome, inefficient dust containment systems, which re-

quire leaving a client’s doors and windows open no matter what time of year. Pester and his team uses the latest in dust containment technology: a portable HEPA system that uses a cyclonic separator to remove dust.

“Our portable system means that we can keep doors and windows closed when we are working at a client’s home,” Pester says.

“This enables us to be more efficient, provide a safe solution for clients and our team, and provide a cleaner and better looking end product. I used to have to wear a mask and our work would take longer so that we could clean up all the dust. Now, I can eat a sandwich while sanding a floor without worrying.”

Pester is certified by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA).

“The NWFA is an incredible organization that maintains a high set of standards for its members,” Pester says. “It aligns with the mission of CFC Hardwood Floors, Inc. to provide the highest quality hardwood floors. We are committed to staying up to date on the latest technologies and products and are committed to excellence.”

Pester and his team members are true craftsmen. They go above and beyond the role of installer/refinisher and work carefully with clients from the start of a project to its conclusion to provide a partnership and education based on

their broad knowledge and expertise. Installing or refinishing a hardwood floor can seem like a daunting project, but the team at CFC Hardwood Floors, Inc. work with homeowners to make it easy by not only showing respect from the start of a project, but to provide the highest quality craftsmanship available.

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25

Driver’s Notebook

Hail the Hybrid The 2015 Lexus ES 300h convincingly demonstrates the brand’s hybrid leadership Article and Photography Provided

A

mong all luxury brands, only Lexus offers five hybrid models, including the 2015 ES 300h. Such market leadership in this crucial technology is indicative of the brand’s overall focus on customer satisfaction. Luxury customers want hybrids, and Lexus delivers, having introduced the first one more than 10 years ago.

Perhaps the only thing more alluring than the coupe-like profile of the Lexus ES 300h is its EPA fuel economy ratings of 40 mpg city/39 mpg highway/40 mpg combined. The ES 300h cabin gives up nothing to accommodate the hybrid technology. The car’s 40-inch rear legroom compares with larger luxury sedans.

And, even with its dramatically sweeping roofline, the ES 300h offers ample rear-seat head room.

Driving with Power

In the 2015 Lexus ES 300h, the ingenuity of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system is that it operates transparently. The system combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine with an electric motor to generate 200 total system horsepower.

Teamed to the system’s electronic continuously variable transmission, the powertrain can move the ES 300h from zero to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds. High torque at lower speeds helps make the ES 300h a joy to drive. The ES 300h driver can tailor the driving experience by selecting from among four modes: Normal, Sport, Eco and EV. In EV mode, the car can be driven short distances at reduced speed, using only the power from the hybrid battery pack. Normal mode provides an ideal blend of performance 26

Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

and efficiency for most driving situations. Eco mode favors fuel economy, and Sport mode increases powertrain responsiveness for a more engaging driving experience.

Unmistakable Luxury

Like the gasoline ES 350 model, the ES 300h belies the “entry luxury” label with such standard features as 10-way adjustable power front seats, clear Optitron gauges, automatic climate control and NuLuxe perforated interior available in parchment, light gray or black. Elegant piano-black trim adorns the instrument panel, doors and upper console, and the ES 350 also offers espresso bird’s eye maple or bamboo trim. With the available 12-way heated/ventilated power front seats, you can extend the seat cushions by 1.4 inches for added leg support.

Lexus customers count on cutting edge safety features, and they certainly find it in the 2015 ES 300h, with 10 airbags and an array of available driver aids including a Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Lane Departure Alert (LDA). The optional Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) helps detect vehicles in side blind spots and can alert the driver to rear cross traffic when backing out of a parking space.

The available second-generation Remote Touch Interface (RTI) puts control of numerous vehicle functions at your fingertips. Using the system controller on the center console, you can operate the climate control, audio system, phone, optional navigation system and more. Menus display in the center-dashboard screen.

Premium Quiet and Sound

With its ultra-quiet cabin, the ES 300h presents the ideal listening room for the standard eight-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System, which plays from the in-dash CD player, USB/iPod connectivity and an integrated SiriusXM Satellite Radio receiver with an all-access 90-day trial subscription. Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) adjusts system volume in response to ambient noise.

Only Lexus offers high-end Mark Levinson brand audio systems. Audiophiles have known about Mark Levinson high-end home audio since the 1970s. The ES 300h’s optional 15-speaker, 835-watt audio system makes any kind of music come to life inside the car. The system features HD Radio with iTunes tag-

ging, DVD audio/video and a SiriusXM Satellite Radio receiver.

GreenEdge technology doubles amplifier output while reducing its energy consumption by 50 percent. The reduced electrical load on the car contributes to better fuel efficiency.

New for 2015 model year ES, the available Mark Levinson system integrates a new audio restoration technology that was introduced in high-end home systems only recently. The technology restores some of the clarity lost during compression for digital formats commonly used today.

The new Clari-Fi technology automatically analyzes compression in the signal of digital tracks (CD, iPod, etc.). It recognizes the level of compression and determines how much amplification is needed, and where, to correct it. The result is a much cleaner sound that is closer to the original recording.

The ES 300h stands out with a design highlighted by the Lexus spindle grille and dramatic L-themed LED daytime running lights. The sweeping roofline is one reason the ES 300h achieves a low 0.27 coefficient of drag (Cd), which helps reduce fuel consumption and minimize wind noise. The ES 300h does not shout its hybrid status but rather conveys it with elegant subtlety. Exclusive design features include specific split-fivespoke 17-inch alloy wheels, a lip spoiler, hidden exhaust pipe and blue hybrid badges.

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December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle

27

What’s Cooking?

Warm Up With Exciting Meals from Your Pantry T

here’s nothing quite like heart-warming comfort food to beat winter’s chill. And there’s no need for a trek to the supermarket or to resort to the takeout menu drawer. Some of the best and most flavorful ingredients are already in your pantry.

That’s right…the canned foods in your pantry.

Canned foods not only mean less preparation and year-round availability of your favorite produce, like tomatoes and green beans, they also help make healthy and delicious homemade meals a reality, more often. Like home canning, the canning process locks in foods’ natural goodness and nutrients so they’re available to you any time of year, and all winter long.

Best of all, canned foods help make the big, bold flavors in dishes like Thai Chicken Curry and Shepherd’s Pie easy and simply delicious – perfect for a chilly day.

For more seasonal recipes and to learn how you and your family can get cooking with canned foods this season and year round, visit CansGetYouCooking.com.

Thai Chicken Curry

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 4 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 medium red onion, sliced 1 large garlic clove, minced 1 tablespoon minced ginger 1 tablespoon red curry paste 1 (13.5-ounce) can Goya coconut milk 1 (10-ounce) can Hormel Premium chicken breast, drained and flaked 1 (8-ounce) can Allens cut green beans, drained 1 (16-ounce) can sweet potatoes, drained and cut into 1-inch chunks Chopped cilantro for garnish In 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, in hot oil, cook red onion, garlic and ginger until softened, about 5 minutes. Add red curry paste; cook 1 minute.

Add coconut milk, chicken, green beans and sweet potatoes. Over high heat, heat to boiling. Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes to blend f lavors, stirring occasionally. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

28

Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

Shepherd’s Pie

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Servings: 6 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 large onion, diced 1 large garlic clove, minced 1 pound ground beef 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 (14.5-ounce) can Red Gold stewed tomatoes 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1 (15-ounce) can S&W peas and carrots, drained 1 (15-ounce) can Del Monte sliced new potatoes, drained 1 tablespoon butter, melted In 12-inch skillet over medium heat, in hot oil, cook onion and garlic 5 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally.

Remove to plate.

In same skillet over medium-high, cook ground beef until well browned on all sides, stirring frequently. Add flour; cook 1 minute.

Add stewed tomatoes and thyme. Over high heat, heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. Stir in peas and carrots.

Preheat oven to 450°F. Spoon mixture into greased deep-dish pie plate or baking dish. Toss sliced potatoes with butter. Arrange potatoes in center of casserole, overlapping slightly. Bake 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are lightly golden.

Sold Properties

Recently SOLD Cape Ann Properties neighborhood

original list

sold price

% sold/orig

Gloucester

$1,500,000

$1,500,000

100%

Gloucester

$1,400,000

$1,400,000

Rockport

$1,475,000

Gloucester

dom*

bdrms

f/h bath

41

3

2/1

100%

0

4

1

$1,150,000

78%

165

4

3

$1,150,000

$1,100,000

96%

55

3

3

Rockport

$1,195,000

$1,050,000

88%

133

4

3/1

Rockport

$610,000

$610,000

100%

0

5

2/1

Gloucester

$629,000

$595,000

95%

58

4

3

Gloucester

$639,000

$550,000

86%

106

3

2/1

Rockport

$489,000

$506,000

103%

24

2

2

Rockport

$465,000

$470,000

101%

119

3

2

Gloucester

$415,000

$415,000

100%

0

2

1/1

Gloucester

$439,000

$410,000

93%

41

3

1/1

Gloucester

$425,000

$395,000

93%

171

4

2

Gloucester

$410,000

$385,000

94%

83

4

2

Gloucester

$389,000

$385,000

99%

110

3

2

Gloucester

$379,000

$379,000

100%

43

4

2

Rockport

$389,000

$365,000

94%

59

3

3

Rockport

$349,000

$346,000

99%

147

2

1

Rockport

$350,000

$320,000

91%

126

2

1

This data is a sampling of sold properties from October 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014. Source: MLS system.

978-281-4995 www.BeautifulCapeAnn.com

Rediscover the beauty

18 Wishart Rd. Gloucester MA. 01930

In your own back yard‌.

Holly M. Chiancola CRS, GRI Principal/Broker

Complete Real Estate Services

Sara E. Lovegreen Realtor Vice President December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle

29

Lifestyle Calendar

December skin Neck to Dock Square for the town Tree Lighting festivities. RockportUSA.com

December 6 BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa Happy Holidays Open House Beverly

DECEMBER 4 ANNUAL LADIES’ NIGHT GLOUCESTER

A special evening of holiday shopping in downtown Gloucester for women shoppers, including refreshments and drawings for gift certificates in many stores. GloucesterDowntownAssociation.org

DECEMBER 4-6 ESSEX HOLIDAY FESTIVAL ESSEX

The Holiday Festival begins Thursday night with a special tree lighting ceremony in front of Town Hall on Martin Street beginning at 6:30 p.m. Day two of the Festival features the arrival of Santa by boat at 6 p.m. Friday at the Town Landing. As you are waiting for Santa, activities and refreshments will be set up including: Woodman’s Clam Chowder, Dunkin’ Donuts Hot Chocolate, and more. The final day of the Festival, Saturday, features a breakfast with Santa at the Essex Elementary School from 8-11 a.m. as well as all day Holiday Shopping Open Houses at many local businesses. VisitEssexMa.com

DECEMBER 6 SANTA’S ARRIVAL IN ROCKPORT AND TREE LIGHTING ROCKPORT

Santa’s Arrival in Rockport and Tree Lighting Santa arrives in Rockport Harbor on a lobster boat, followed by a parade along Bear30

Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

Be sure to join BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa on Saturday, December 6 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for their Happy Holidays Open House to help you prepare for the holiday season in a fun, relaxing and stress-free way. Join the BodiScience team and other holiday focused vendors for an afternoon of holiday celebration that will help you better prepare with a positive, peaceful and proactive mindset as the holiday season kicks into high gear. Don’t let the stress of the holidays ruin this joyful season. Share a pre-holiday afternoon with BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa to plan for a nourishing and rewarding season for you and your family.

RSVP soon because space is limited and the holiday season is a time to be joyful!

BodiScience.com

DECEMBER 12 PATHWAYS FOR CHILDREN HARLEQUIN HOLIDAY SNOW BALL GLOUCESTER

Check out this whimsical evening to benefit children. Featuring dancing, hearty hors d’oeuvres, silent auction and many more playful surprises. PW4C.org

DECEMBER 13 13TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN ROCKPORT HOLIDAY GALLERY STROLL ROCKPORT

Featuring Rockport’s finest artists and galleries. Don’t miss this chance to meet Rockport’s artists in their studios. Gallery Stroll maps available at information shed and participating galleries. Look for Art Gallery Stroll banners. RockportUSA.com

DECEMBER 18 LOBSTER TRAP TREE LIGHTING GLOUCESTER

Lobster Traps and Lobster Buoys, decorated by the children of Cape Ann Art Haven, make up this distinctly unique Christmas Tree in downtown Gloucester. The lighting is at 5 p.m. GloucesterMa.com

DECEMBER 31 NEW YEAR’S ROCKPORT EVE ROCKPORT

DECEMBER 7 SEASHELLS AND JINGLE BELLS INN & HOME KITCHEN TOUR ROCKPORT

This is the fourth year for this fresh, new event featuring a delectable mix of Rockport’s finest accommodations and private homes. Visit the beautiful seaside homes and inns of Rockport, all decked out for the holidays. SeashellsAndJingleBellsRKPT.Blogspot.com

Celebrating the New Year with family, friends, and neighbors. Six hours of continuous entertainment in downtown Rockport from 6 p.m. to midnight. RockportUSA.com

Music

ENJOY

THIS WINTER

AT THE SHALIN LIU PERFORMANCE CENTER

CLASSICAL

Travis Tritt

Jazz & Folk

American Brass Quintet

Jane Monheit FEB 7: Amy Helm FEB 20: Mavis Staples FEB 22: Travis Tritt FEB 27: BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet MAR 7: Billy Childs Quartet DEC 6:

JAN 11: HANDEL & HAYDN’s

Guy Fishman, cello & Ian Watson, fortepiano FEB 28: Brentano String Quartet MAR 22: American Brass Quintet

rockportmusic.org :: 978.546.7391

LANDMARK SCHOOL

LANDMARK SCHOOL knows that for Cape Ann Lifestyle: 7.083" x 3.15", 4 color, young people with a language-based December 2014

IT’S JUST WHAT EDUCATION SHOULD BE .

learning disability, like dyslexia, school can be frustrating and overwhelming. For our students, grades 2 - 12, school is about experiencing a PERSONALIZED ACADEMIC PROGRAM with ONE-TO-ONE tutoring every day, building skills to make learning PRODUCTIVE and MEANINGFUL, playing sports, exploring visual arts, woodworking, theater…and experiencing CONFIDENCE for the first time ever.

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31

Business Directory

Automotive Ira Lexus (978) 739-8608 iralexus.com

Dentists & Orthodontics The Millennium Collection consists of four distinct door products that each fit a specific demand in the world of design and construction. Infinity, Ovation, Encore and Bravo Doors are all manufactured of renewable composite wood fiber materials for stability and reliability. Our state-of-the-art design and environmentally friendly construction techniques mean endless design flexibility for your architectural design.

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Dental Associates of Gloucester (978) 281-1337 dentalassociatesgloucester.com

Education

Landmark School (978) 236-3222 landmarkschool.org Pingree School (978) 468-4415 pingree.org

Entertainment & Recreation Rockport Music (978) 546-7391 rockportmusic.org

Fashion & Accessories

Blue River Diamond Company (978) 646-8988 blueriverdiamonds.com

Financial Services & Planning The Retirement Financial Center (978) 777-5000 retirementctr.com

Health & Wellness BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa (978) 927-9909 bodiscience.com

Manchester Athletic Club (978) 526-8900 manchesterathleticclub.com

Home Builders & Remodelers Marine Construction • Chapter 91 Permitting Pier & Dock Installation • Marine Salvage Mooring Maintenance and Installation

Out of Water Winter Float Storage 18 Kondelin Road, Gloucester

978.479.0596 | ba.ramsey@yahoo.com 32

Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

Windover Construction (978) 525-6038 windover.com

Home Design & Furnishings

CFC Hardwood Floors Inc (978) 290-9110 cfchardwoodfloors.com

Muzio Designs (978) 890-7160 muziodesigns.com Timeless Interiors (978) 468-1141 timelessinteriorsandgifts.com

Home Services

Doyon’s TV & Appliances (978) 283-0783 doyonshomeappliances.com Moynihan Lumber (978) 927-0032 moynihanlumber.com Revolusun (781) 270-6555 revolusun.com/ma The Green Cocoon (978) 462-0082 thegreencocoon.com The Maids / Donnelly Service Group Inc. (978) 276-1276 maids.com

Other

Ramsey Marine and Dock (978) 479-0596

Property & Real Estate

Holly C. & Company (978) 281-4995 beautifulcapeann.com J. Barrett & Company (978) 922-2700 jbarrettrealty.com Summer Hill (978) 821-4563 summerhillmanchester.com

Restaurants, Food & Beverage

Serenitee Restaurant Group (978) 317-7571 sereniteerestaurants.com

Senior Living & Services

Lahey Health Senior Care/ Seacoast Nursing and Rehab (978) 283-0300 laheyhealthseniorcare.org

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December 2014 | Cape Ann Lifestyle

33

Parting Thoughts

The Wonders of Winter Words Bethany Tomich

I

t is easy to grumble about winter in the Northeast. The piles of snow, the short days, the snowstorms, the shoveling, the salt on the roads, the puddles of slush…I can go on and on. And sometimes I do.

But it is one of the most beautiful times on Cape Ann. Have you ever gone to Singing Beach after a snowstorm? It’s incredible.

The ocean lapping on the shore, snow and ice covering the sand? Give me my Cape Ann winters anytime. Our community is charming during the spring and summer, but the winter can take your breath away.

It’s the holiday season, and no matter what holiday you celebrate – even if it’s Festivus (for the rest of us!) – Cape Ann’s charms are out in full force this time of year. I of many Christmas trees, twinkling lights and glass ornaments, could put them all away and just enjoy the quiet winter season. The lights on the trees in

34

Cape Ann Lifestyle | December 2014

the early evening, snow flurries and the magic of snow days for the kids are some of the best parts of December. Besides skiing, one of my favorite winter activities is to simply walk the dog around the neighborhood. Passing houses with their warm lights on and smoke billowing from chimneys is downright Dickensian, and even better if there’s a snowman in the front yard.

Of course you can see all of these things through your car window. But if you are able, I encourage you to bundle up, put on those snow boots and get outside. I cringe whenever I hear a weather forecast advising us to hunker down. Always stay safe, but get outside!

“Hunker down” has become a joke in our family. It conjures laughable images of hiding in a dark room, wrapped in a blanket with a f lashlight waiting out

some incredible storm of the century.

A winter storm is serious, and all appropriate precautions should be taken, but don’t let this time of year prevent you from enjoying Cape Ann. Go to the beaches, walk the shoveled sidewalks of our downtowns and the thinned crowds at art galleries and museums.

This is the time of year when Cape Ann is ours. Is there anything better than walking in the door of a warm restaurant on a brisk winter’s evening? Don’t hide from the winter season - thrive. And if we must hunker down, let’s hope that it is only for a short time. We shouldn’t hide from winter.

There are snowy trails to walk, shops to be visited, presents to buy and people to see.

Warmth is not only a physical emotion, but also how we shape our attitude. There is great warmth in Cape Ann in winter; it is our job to enjoy it.

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