A workshop Saturday in City Hall will give residents a chance to offer their vision for the city.
The vision drafting workshop, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will review a recently released summary of community engagement input, including from two culture-focused meetings-in-a-box.
The report “Aggregated Community Engagement Summary” and a more than 400-page appendix of responses are available online on the Gloucester Comprehensive Plan project website at tinyurl.com/GCP2034.
The initial public engagement phase for the Comprehensive Plan drew 2,997 “participation points” which was incorporated in the report. Saturday’s workshop is part II of the project.
Residents will work in small groups to create a draft long-range vision statement for Gloucester. Out of this workshop, the consultants plan to merge the drafts into a working first draft of the city’s vision, core themes, goals and a future land use map.
Then, from April 1 to May 5, residents will be able to weigh in on the draft vision, core themes, goals and future land use during a community review period. A virtual questionnaire and in-person open house will be hosted May 4 at City Hall from 10 a.m. to noon.
The final draft vision, core themes, goals and future land use map is scheduled to be presented at the May 16 Planning Board meeting.
‘Wicked Tuna’ death
A star of “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks” died on the Outer Banks of North Carolina after his boat went missing this week.
Capt. Charlie “Griff” Griffin, 65, and his dog Leila were found dead Monday after a boating accident that was unrelated to show, according to National Geographic, which airs the series on its television channel.
Griffin’s boat had gone missing in the rough waters of Oregon Inlet, which joins the Pamlico Sound to the Atlantic Ocean south of Nags Head on the Outer Banks late Sunday night. Unruly currents and wild weather conditions have made the inlet one of the most notoriously unpredictable waterways on the East Coast.
He and Chad Dunn, 36, were traveling from Virginia Beach to Pirate’s Cove Marina, Manteo, for repairs of the GoodRun, a 30-foot recreational boat, according to the Coast Guard.
Griffin captained the fishing vessel Reels of Fortune and appeared on seasons two through five of “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks,” fishing side-by-side on the series with his only child, Jake, according to National Geographic. Griffin won the fourth season.
The Coast Guard suspended the search for Dunn off of Oregon Inlet on Tuesday around 6:30 p.m.
“We searched for 41 hours, conducted 12 search patterns, and covered approximately 400 miles by air, sea and on shore with our local partners to find Chad and bring him home,” said Cmdr. Corrie Sergent, Deputy, Sector North Carolina. “It is one of the hardest decisions to call off a search, and we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends affected by this tragic event.”
At the time the pair were reported missing, the visibility was a little over half a mile, seas at 4-6 feet, and wind 10-15 knots, the Coast Guard said.
Bank showcases artist
BankGloucester is hosting a public viewing for artist Lynn Anne Maguire in the lobby of it main office at 160 Main St. through April 26. A reception will be held this Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to noon at which guests will have a chance to meet the artist and ask questions while enjoying some light refreshments.
Maguire is a watercolor artist specializing in nature and plein air painting. She is a member of several art associations, including the North Shore Art Association, the Rockport Art Association & Museum, the Nevada Watercolor Society, and the Virgin Valley Artists with the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery. She has participated in various art festivals, such as the Escalante Canyon Fine Art Festival at Grand Staircase National Monument.
She was recently interviewed on The Art Box podcast about her studio, and her vision of creating a new cultural center on Rust Island, where artists and nature lovers can gather and enjoy the scenic views of the Annisquam River, the bank said.
She started her artistic career after 40 years of working as a physical therapist. She now runs Snug Harbor Studio on Rust Island in West Gloucester, where she offers classes and workshops for aspiring artists.