Bloomberg.com Has Nice Review of Plum Island and Greater Newburyport
August 24, 2008
With that said, there is a nice online review of Plum Island and the Greater Newburyport region by Jeremy Gerard on Bloomberg.com., the New York-based international financial and information services concern.
Mr. Gerard and his wife recently explored Plum Island and Greater Newburyport during a three-night stay at blue: the inn on the beach at Plum Island. All in all they were favorably impressed with the quality of the inn and the fine shopping, the numerous places to dine, great beaches and natural resources available to them while they were here in the Newburyport region.
He describes the Plum Island/Newburyport area as an “under the radar” destination that slips by many tourists as they visit Cape Cod and other more popular tourist destinations along the New England seacoast.
The easy commute to Plum Island/Newburyport from Boston and the lack of traffic congestion were also highlighted in his article. The lobster rolls and chowder offered at Bob Lobster’s were hits with Mr. Gerard as well as a host of other local attractions and dining establishments.
Here are a list of the locations/dining spots that were named (all favorably by the way) in Mr. Gerard’s review:
- Bob Lobster (seafood and more; on the causeway (Plum Island Turnpike) to Plum Island)
- Mad Martha’s -breakfast on Plum Island
- Fowle’s- breakfast & lunch (including a wide selection of newspapers and magazines)
- Plum Island Grille - dining (Plum Island dining)
- 10 Center Street - dining (downtown Newburyport waterfront)
- The Blach Cow -dining (downtown Newburyport waterfront)
- Oldies Marketplace - antiques and all things used; a flea market
- Gram’s - ice cream in downtown Newburyport
The only gripe that Mr. Gerard had about his stay was the 20.7 percent room/service charge (includes a 15 percent gratuity and 5.7 percent tax) that is applied at blue: the inn on the beach. We have seen this same complaint expressed in other reviews of the inn. Perhaps management of the inn should consider reevaluating this room/service fee charge structure to a more moderate rate as it is often the only blemish in otherwise fine reviews of the inn that we have seen.
To see all of Mr. Gerard’s review, visit his online review of Plum Island and the Greater Newburyport region by Jeremy Gerard on Bloomberg.com.
Iron Moon Farm’s Farm Stand To Be Back On Newbury Upper Green
August 14, 2008
An article by Victor Tine in today’s Newburyport Daily News reports that Newbury Selectman voted unanimously to allow Iron Moon Farm owners Wendy and Colin Smith to set up their farm stand/wagon on the Upper Green for a second year. The Upper Green farm stand location is a temporary operation that would provide Iron Moon Farm with added visibility in the Newbury/Newburyport region until the Parker River bridge reconstruction work is completed.
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Thursday Evening Birding At Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
August 10, 2008
When: Thursday, August 14, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., for ages 8 and olderWhere: Meet at Parking Lot #1of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Accompany refuge volunteer Sue McGrath for a guided bird walk exploring this important bird area.
We’ll discuss the birds and see a variety of birds that nest on the refuge. Interpretive materials are provided. All skill levels are welcome, including children age 8 and older accompanied by an adult.
Dress for the weather and wear sturdy, walking shoes. Meet at the refuge at the parking lot 1.
All programs are free. But space is limited, and advanced registration is required unless otherwise indicated. Call 978-465-5753 to register. Registration is not complete until you receive confirmation from a staff member. Note that outdoor programs may be canceled if there is inclement weather. Visit the Web for more information, visit the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge website.
“All Wings Considered,” Newburyport Birders, August 23 and 30
August 8, 2008
Where: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport. Meet at the observation deck next to the Visitor’s Information Center at Parking Lot #1
Cost: $30 each Saturday program or $50 for both
Newburyport Birders is offering ”All Wings Considered,” a natural history program on Saturdays, August 23 and 30, from7:30-10:30 a.m. at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport.
The program will explore the various habitats at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge during these longer, interpretative programs. Sue McGrath will focus on field marks, where these birds have been and where they are migrating to and behavior at this premier birding destination. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are suggested.
This program requires advance registration. Contact Sue McGrath at 978-462-4785 or newburyportbirders@comcast.net or visit the Newburyport Birders website for more information.
Annual Meeting of Sons & Daughters of First Settlers of Newbury, August 16th
July 29, 2008
When: Saturday, August 16
Where: The Performing Arts Center at The Governor’s Academy in Byfield.
Cost: $20-per-person
The Sons & Daughters of the First Settlers of Newbury will be holding their annual meeting Saturday, August16, at the Performing Arts Center at The Governor’s Academy in Byfield.
Classical Music Concert by Symphony by the Sea at Governor’s Academy on April 27th
April 23, 2008
Where: Governor’s Academy Performing Arts Center, Byfield, MA
Tickets: $30.00; $10.00 for students
The Symphony by the Sea symphony orchestra will perform a classical music concert on Sunday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m., at the Governor’s Academy Performing Arts Center, 1 Elm St., Byfield. The performance will include music by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Tchaikovsky.
Symphony by the Sea is an all-professional, 35-piece symphony orchestra on the North Shore of Boston that performs music ranging from Baroque to Contemporary.
The Sunday afternoon performance includes introductory comments by Maestro Jonathan McPhee before each piece is played and a popular post-concert talk-back session between audience members, Music Director, and selected musicians of the orchestra.
Tickets are $30.00 (students: $10.00) and can be purchased at the door or at the Symphony by the Sea website.
Website: Symphony by the Sea website
Successful Fundraiser For Plum Island Foundation
April 4, 2008
The foundation has raised $35,000 of the amount it needs to formally retain the services of Mr. Marlowe’s Washington, D.C. lobbying firm, Marlow & Company. The lobbying firm has been very successful in helping municipalities work through the maze of Federal and Congressional bureaucracies and ultimately in obtaining funding for local beach replenishment efforts.
Mayor John Moak’s quote in Mr. Tine’s article concisely summarizes why the efforts of the Plum Island Foundation are needed and vital to the Plum Island community.
“In politics, we talk about issues, and talk about issues, and talk about issues,” he said. “You in the Plum Island Foundation took the next step.” — Mayor John Moak
Unfortunately Mayor Moak is right on the mark with his comments as they are true. Talking is not a solution. Taking action is the only solution. That is why the Plum Island Foundation was created. The political model for obtaining funding appropriations in Congress is not the same one that worked 10 or 20 years ago. Now it takes forever to get the Federal government to respond to any funding-related issue in a timely manner.
Utilizing the professional services of a skilled consulting firm like Marlowe & Company, which specializes in beach replenishment efforts and knows how to most effectively garner support for the clients they represent in Washington, seems like a no-brainer and a necessity.
Related Websites and Information:
Sand-A-Claus Not on Newburyport’s Beach Restoration Agenda
February 16, 2008
Newburyport Is Not Going To Provide Funding To Hire Beach Restoration Lobbyist
Property owners on Plum Island and the Town of Newbury are probably disappointed with City of Newburyport Mayor John Moak’s recent decision not to request that the City Council authorize spending $18,000 for hiring a Washington, DC lobbying firm to help secure Federal funding for the replenishment and restoration of Plum Island beaches.
A group of Plum Island property owners and the Town of Newbury had been hoping Newburyport would join in theiir effort to raise $40,000 to hire a Wahington D.C based lobbying firm, Marlowe & Company a Washington, D.C., lobbying firm that specializes in persuading Congress to put up money for beach replenishment projects. As stated in a Daily News of Newburyport article, the company’s president, Howard Marlowe, has been called “Sand-a Claus” by the national newspaper USA Today for his ability to deliver beach funds for clients.
The $18,000 represented Newburyport’s portion of the $40,000 annual fee that was to be charged by the lobbying group. The Town of Newbury would be responsible for providing $18,000 as well and a group of homeowners had already raised $4,000 privately to use for hiring the lobbying firm.
Plum Island is a barrier beach that, from the center of Plum Island northward, has sustained serious erosion in recent years. Additionally, the jetty at the north end of the island is in need of serious repair. The lack of regular dredging and beach replenishment efforts together with weakened jetties at the mouth of the Merrimack River and a series of strong coastal storms over the past few years have put some structures on the Island in a perilous situation.
Mayor Moak said that he and the council “strongly support the efforts of our senatorial and congressional delegation and have confidence in our elected officials and their staff to procure the funding for a three-phase urgent plan to protect Plum Island beaches.”
Urgency is definitely the key word here. Barrier beaches are dynamic environments and Plum Island is a barrier beach that is in a weakened state. The three-pronged plan of dredging, jetty repairs and replenishment must be performed on a regular, recurring basis. A few well-timed, strong storms can change the Island’s coastline quickly and dramatically. Hopefully, our elected officials can work in a timely manner to help replenish the Plum Island coastline.
The time factor associated with getting a response from our elected officials is the “wildcard” here. How long can Plum Island afford to wait for funding to be procured through normal channels? For the Plum Island property owners and the Town of Newbury, it would be prudent to explore all options for other ways to raise that additional $18,000. It is always wise to have an alternative plan, especially if there is a way to jumpstart the process.
The Plum Island beach replenishment effort is going to need all the help it can get to make the wheels in Washington, D.C. move. If a lobbyist who knows how to make the process work can also be brought onboard to help, then that is another option that should be utilized. Time is of the essence when you live on a barrier beach.
You can find additional information about the Plum Island beach restoration effort and the lobbying funding issue in the article by Victor Tine in the February 13th issue of the Newburyport Daily News.
Newburyport Cruises into State Tournament With Win Over Triton
February 14, 2008
Both teams looked a little sluggish for the first few minutes of the first period, but then Newburyport turned on the gas and never looked back. Newburyport dominated the game in all phases and controlled the play throughout the game.
Triton had no answer to the speed and aggressiveness of the Clippers who had balanced scoring throughout all their lines. The Clippers speed, strength and their “playing the body” physical style of hockey were no match for the Triton Vikings who had absolutely no success mounting an attack. Newburyport was swarming over the Vikings for most of the game.
Triton came into the game missing a few players due to injuries. For Triton, it was one of those games where everything seemed to go against you. They never seemed to have a good bounce from the puck when they had good shots on net.
Triton needs four more points to qualify for the State Tournament. They will need to win both games of the upcoming Newburyport Bank Classic High School Tournament that gets under way at the Graf Rink this weekend. They could end up playing Newburyport again in the Newburyport Bank Classic High School Tournament.
Newburyport Hopes To Clinch State Tournament Berth Tonight at the Graf Rink
February 13, 2008
With the Newburyport Clippers needing only one more point to qualify for the Mass. State Hockey Tournament, tonight’s hockey game at the Graf Rink should be an exciting one. The Clippers (9-6-1) have been on a rampage during the second half of their season as they have become quite comfortable and successful with their aggressive and hard-hitting, physical style of play.
When you also add into the mix that the Clippers are playing one of their River Rivals, the Triton Vikings, you have a great recipe for a fast, action packed hockey game. The Vikings (7-8-2) came out of the gate doing very well in the first half of the season, but hit some turbulence in the second half of the season.
The Newburyport-Triton hockey games are usually excellent games to watch as they often have a playoff/tournament feel to them. Triton has the speed and the talent to give Newburyport a good game, but if the Clippers get out to a lead and are able to skate unmolested, it could be a tough game for Triton.
At this point in the season, Newburyport is the most aggressive and physical team in the Cape Ann League. When you factor in their speed, size, talent and offense, they are a force to be reckoned with. Earlier in the season they took too many unnecessary penalties. During the latter part of the season, they have been playing much smarter hockey and have been getting team-wide offense.
The Vikings will have to play a perfect game to beat the Clippers tonight and also hope that the Clippers play a sloppy game. I would expect to see a high energy and fast-skating first period from both teams.
Situated on the ocean, Newburyport holds a host of opportunity for the visitor. But instead of traditional hotels, consider Massachusetts timeshares. Resorts offer sumptuous ensuite appointments and amenities not available in hotels. Rent timeshare for an unforgettable vacation experience.
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