SELF PORTRIAT - DEC 31 2006

Late last night I started to play with my camera and took some photos of myself a la Lauren at "Sundays Off". Tomorrow I will go back to photographing New England instead of myself. :-)

NEWPORT ARTILLERY COMPANY

Newport RI - This building is the Artillery Company of Newport museum. It contains memorabilia from America and around the world. Some of the most prized items are
four 3-Pound bronze cannon cast by Paul Revere in his foundry in Boston in 1798 for the State of Rhode Island. It also has a large collections of uniforms from around the world including, Colin Powell, Generals Abrams, Leominster, Westmoreland. Foreign dignataries such as Anwar Sadat, King Hussein, and Price Phillip from England.

(Trivia Alert) - The museum has memorabilia from Rhode Island Civil War General Ambrose Burnside, from whom we get the term "sideburns" due to his unique facial hair. But I'm not done yet, he was also the first President of the NRA.

Sorry about the quality of the photos, it was almost dark when I took them.

Info: http://www.newportartillery.org/

MR WIZARD

Mr. Wizard - Salem, MA

PORTSMOUTH NH TUGBOATS AND TUGBOAT ALLEY

Portsmouth, NH - The Moran Tugs are an institution in Portsmouth. You can't miss them berthed off "Tugboat Alley". Portsmouth is only one of 13 ports that the Moran Tugs are in. Here is one of the tugs coming back from a job.



Here are what I believe are all the tugs waiting for the next job.


"Tugboat Alley" is a store, and I guess the alley that contains shops and restaurants. The store sells photos, paintings, clothes, and gifts. You can even arrange for a sight seeing trip aboard a real tugboat, not a Moran Tug. Click here for details

SHAKESPEARE AND COMPANY

Lenox. MA – Shakespeare and Company was started down the road from its present site in 1978 by Tina Packer at Edith Wharton’s estate, “The Mount”. In 2001 it was moved a mile down the street to its new 30 acre home. At Shakespeare and Company they have a troupe that puts on plays. They also have one of the largest theater-in-education programs in the Northeast with upward of 50,000 students annually.


This is the Founders Theater with this beautiful car in front of it.


This is also the location for the Rose Playhouse Project USA. It will be the world’s only historically accurate reconstruction of the originally Rose Playhouse. The playhouse will be surrounded by an Elizabethan village. The originally was built in 1587 on the banks of the Thames River and was where Shakespeare’s earliest plays were performed. You can see the “Rose Footprint”; during the season it is tented (the round cement low structure). This is the location where the theater will be built



More info: http://www.shakespeare.org/

SALEM BEER WORKS

Salem Ma - This is the Salem location of the famous Boston Beer Works who's original location is just down the street from Fenway Park in Boston.

Info: Boston Beer Works

CHRISTMAS - 2006

I didn't take any specific Christmas photos yesterday but I decided to make it a religious post. The Nativity scene was from last year, it is in the little town of Bethlehem Connecticut. The 10 commandments is from Salem, Ma and the Christmas tree is on the mast of the USCGC Eagle. Have a Happy Christmas! (my brother kept on saying that instead of Merry Christmas; he said it was the European version. If you are a European reader, could you confirm that?)

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Kitchen's Ready



Griddle's Ready



Early Diners are here.


Santa at the ready

Granville, MA - A few weeks ago the Granville - Tolland Lions Club put on a "Breakfast with Santa". A good part of the population in the area (small towns) shows up for this event. To have all you can eat pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee, and juice. Served with REAL maple syrup donated from Maple Corners farm. Children of all ages can have their photo taken with Santa. My apoligies to Santa's helpers, the photo was too blurry.

STONE WHALE - PORTSMOUTH NH

Portsmouth, NH - Residing in Prescott Park is this stone whale statue. I could not find too much about it.

USCGC EAGLE

New London, CT – This is the seventh U.S, Coast Guard vessel to bear the name USCGC Eagle since 1792. This ship was built in 1936 by the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg Germany. It was originally built to train cadets in the German Navy. It is now used to train American Naval officers. It was taken by the United States as a war prize in 1946. The hull is made of 4/10th inch steel and can go up to 17 knots in the open ocean.

Info at: http://www.cga.edu/eagle/about.aspx

PSYCHIC SALEM

Salem, MA - When I was in Salem I noticed a large number of Psychic stores and fortune tellers. These are just the one's I noticed. So if you are looking for a Psychic, now you know where to go.

A WALK IN THE WOODS

Last weekend my wife and I took a walk in the woods. Here is a river that we walk beside; enjoy the river before it freezes over.

SAD SACKS

These are two of our "kids" looking sad because we left the house without them.

MODERN LOBSTER TRAPS

Maine - These modern lobster traps are piled on the dock ready to go. The old lobster "pots" are very nostalgic of the old times but not as practical. These plastic covered wire traps have a lot less maintenance than the wooden ones; but a lot less photogenic.

HARTFORD ROCK ART

Hartford, CT - In 1977, artist Carl Andre was hired to create artwork in Hartford. What he did was place 36 rocks in 8 rows. As I remember it created quite the controversy. Most people did not think that rows of rocks were art. You decide.

OLD FORD FROM MAINE

Kittery Point, ME - The old car is parked in a parking lot across from the Frisbee 1828 Market. There are a couple of mannequins inside to give it some realism, they look like they are enjoying the ride.

CHRISTMAS CANDLES

Newport, RI - This old colonial house is all ready for Christmas with the candles in the windows. I prefer this understated look myself. Flashing colored lights surronding the house is not my style.

THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES

Salem, MA - This is the famous "House of Seven Gables" made famous by the novel of the same name written by Nathanial Hawthorne. The original house was built in 1668, this is the oldest wooden 17th century mansion in New England. The house is also known as the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion. I took a tour of the house (no photos allowed in the house)and here are a few facts that I remember. The house originally had 3 gables and was added on to until it had seven gables. Then somewhere along the line, someone removed the added on sections until it had three gables. Then, someone put it back to its seven gable state; sorry, I don't remember who and the dates. Another fact we were told was the Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote the novel,"House of Seven Gables" when the house only had three gables ( can't verify). I will look into this more when I feature Mr. Hawthornes house sometime in the near future.

THE SAFE ARRIVAL

Hartford, CT - This statue by Frances Wadsworth depicts the people lead by Thomas Hooker and Samuel Stone to Hartford, CT.

PIRATES

Salem, MA - In Salem is the New England Pirate Museum where you can find all about the scoundrels. The even have a 80 foot long cave to explore and see where buried treasure lies.

FRIENDSHIP OF SALEM

Salem, MA – This is the replica of the original “Friendship of Salem” that was built in 1796 – 1797 by the shipbuilder Enos Briggs, who also built the frigate Essex. This replica was built by the Scarano Shipyard in Albany, NY. It is made with some modern materials to meet Coast Guard requirements.

The original Friendship sailed 15 times around to world trading for spices, sugar, coffee, pepper, and other goods. While returning from Archangel, Russia during the War of 1812 she was captured by the British and sold at auction in London, England.

Beginning in 1626, Salem became an important seaport with much trade and fishing done from this port. During the Revolution, many of the patriot seaman turned to privateering to help the war effort. During the Revolution 158 privateering vessels captured 445 British vessels. These privateering profits help to increase the fortunes of many of the post war merchants.

You can tour this ship and see what a old time sailing ship look like.

Info: http://www.nps.gov/archive/sama/indepth/pdfs/Friendship.pdf

JAMES NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

Springfield, MA – This is the Basketball Hall of Fame which was originally opened February 17, 1968 on the campus of Springfield College. The Hall of Fame on the college campus was closed and a new Hall of Fame was opened June 30, 1985 in it’s current location. In 2002 a new and improved Hall of Fame was opened with shops and restaurants inside. Also, the new basketball shaped façade was added to the new building.

Some trivia about Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of Basketball. First, he was Canadian, he was born November 6, 1861 in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. Second, the reason he invented Basketball was to make his Physical Education Class more interesting during the winter months. Third, the 10 foot height of the basket came to be because that was the height of the elevated running track that he nailed the peach basket to. And last but not least, Basketball was invented at the School for Christian Workers (now Springfield College) in Springfield Massachusetts December 1891.

Info: http://www.hoophall.com

LOBSTER BOAT

Spruce Creek (Kittery), ME - Here is a lobster boat after a long day.

REV THOMAS HOOKER AND REV SAMUEL STONE - CO-FOUNDERS OF HARTFORD CT

Rev Thomas Hooker



Rev Samuel Stone


Hartford, CT - These are two statues of the co-founders of Hartford CT. Unfortunately, Thomas Hooker gets all the credit, he even has a parade in his honor, "The Hooker Day Parade". Well, I am here to right a wrong; Samuel Stone is the co-founder of Hartford. In 1636 they led their congregation from Newtowne (Cambridge) MA to the area now known as Hartford. Originally they called the town Saukiog after the Indians that lived there but then renamed the town Hartford after Stone's home town of Hertford England.

The statue of Stone appears to be a copy of one in Hertford.

See, this proves it, Samuel Stone is pointing to where they settlement should be, "Over There". He is the founder of Hartford, CT.

WHITE HORSE TAVERN - NEWPORT RI

Newport, RI - This is said to be the oldest tavern in America. William Mayes Sr. obtained a tavern license in 1687 and opened this tavern that was once a private home. Mayes was the father of a famous pirate who succeeded his father as innkeeper. The tavern was a meeting place for the Colony's General Assembly, Criminal Court, and City Council. Those members dined there and charged their meals to the public treasury.

Info: White Horse Tavern

CHURCH ON THE HILL - LENOX MA

Lenox, MA - This is the "Church on the Hill" in Lenox MA. The congregation was formed in 1769, the first Meeting House was built in 1775, and this church was built in 1805.

STROLLING THE GROUNDS

Newport, RI - Now doesn't this look like a blast from the past. This couple strolling the grounds of a mansion in Newport.

NEWPORT KAYAKER

Newport, RI - A kayaker enjoying a beautiful day off the coast of Newport, RI.

YELLOW FLOWERS IN A GRAY GRAVEYARD

Salem, MA - The Ancient Graveyard - Someone left flowers in the tree.