Upcoming in Rockport

Please, if you are in the area, support this effort!  We will be attending the concert on July 14th.  I'm sorry that the images did not show on this posting of the flyer but you get the info!

ROCKPORT NAVY WEEKEND 2013

July 12^th – July 14^th

The US Naval Academy (USNA) Offshore Sail Training Squadron will sail to town in five NA-44 foot sailboats. Sailors from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME, the USS Constitution in Boston, MA and the Navy Band in Newport, RI have been invited to participate in the weekend events.

Midshipmen/Advisors and Sailor Hosting

The RocNavCom is looking for Rockport residents to host the 40 midshipmen and 10 advisors during their visit. The hosts will be responsible for room and board Friday, Saturday and Sunday, transportation to morning events. Due the lack of available lodging for visiting active duty sailors, the RocNavCom is looking for Rockport residents willing to host sailors in their homes. The sailors only need lodging; no meals or transportation is required. We are holding to the Navy standard of the buddy system; hosts must be able to accommodate at least two midshipmen or advisors.

Kickball

The US Navy and USNA will play kickball with Rockport children 6-16 years old on Saturday.  The children and sailors/midshipmen will be mixed together on the teams, no rivalries. The game will be held at Evans Field at 10:15 a.m. Lunch will be provided for the players after the game at 12:15 p.m. There is a limit of twenty (20) children playing.

Sailboat Tours

One of the USNA’s 44 foot sailboats will be open for free public tours on T-wharf from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Midshipmen will be on hand to answer questions.

Pancake Breakfast

Sunday morning there will be a benefit pancake breakfast at Brackett’s Oceanview          Restaurant from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Enjoy breakfast with visiting midshipmen and sailors while overlooking beautiful Sandy Bay! $5.00 donation at the door, the proceeds benefit the Rockport Navy Committee.

Navy Band Concert

The Navy Band Northeast’s Pops Ensemble will perform a free concert at the Rockport High School, 24 Jerden’s Lane at 1:30 p.m. Sunday July 14^th. Tickets will be available Saturday, June 29^th at the Rockport Police Station 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

  

Raffle

The RocNavCom will be holding a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are available from committee members. The drawing will be held during the USN/USNA vs. Rockport Police/Fire softball game at Evans Field on Saturday night July 13^th. Need not be present to win. The game starts at 6:30 pm. Public is welcome.

For more information go to: www.rocnavcom.org

A Family Story

This will only be one part of many parts of a family story that I probably will never finish telling.  It is the story of my Aunt Marion.  She was born in Pownal, VT and her parents were cotton mill workers.  Her birth certificate states that her father, my grandfather, Matt, was a spinner.  That was only one of many jobs that he held during his life.  Matt was born in Maine and my grandmother Margaret was born in England.  Marion was their oldest child, one of three, the next in line was Tom, and then finally my dad, Al.  As Marion got old enough, maybe 7 or 8 years old, she was in charge of her younger brothers while her mother and father went to the mill in North Adams, MA to work.  During that time the family lived in Greylock, MA, on Taft Street, in what the siblings remembered calling "the six colors".

Marion and her mother, Margaret

Here's a photo of Marion with her mother in about 1918.  Little did she know what a long life she would have, how many places she would live and all the unfortunate circumstances in she would smile and make the best she could from.