| Wednesday, May 9, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Theresa M. Barbo
(508) 487-3622 x103
(774) 263-4219
ccsmedia@coastalstudies.org
Selectmen Proclaim May 22 'Spirit of Massachusetts Day' in Provincetown
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies to Sponsor Open House Aboard 'Floating Classroom'
(Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA) - Provincetown Selectmen have declared Sunday, May 22, 'Spirit of Massachusett Day' to honor the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies' (PCCS) newest marine education program, MassSail, and its 'floating classroom' aboard the Spirit of Massachusetts, a 125-foot schooner, constructed in 1984 and modeled after a late 19th century fishing vessel.
MassSail, a joint venture between PCCS and the Ocean Classroom Foundation (OCF), promotes public awareness and understanding of Massachusetts' marine environment and maritime heritage and is unique on Cape Cod. A key element involves educating students of all ages in marine sciences and maritime culture and heritage. From May 16 thru 25, the Spirit will dock at MacMillan Pier to conduct day sails and education classes for Provincetown students in Grades 6 thru 12. A Public Event Day to celebrate Spirit of Massachusetts Day on May 22 includes the following events:
MacMillan Pier
11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Community Open House aboard the Spirit of Massachusetts
All Welcome!
Noon
Welcome
Peter R. Borrelli
Executive Director
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
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Provincetown Selectmen Read Proclamation naming May 22
'Spirit of Massachusetts Day' in Provincetown
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Vessel Blessing
Father Henry Dahl, St. Peter the Apostle Church, Provincetown
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Keynote Address
State Representative Shirley Gomes
1:30 - 2 p.m.
All Hands Aboard!
Boarding for pre-registered Provincetown residents;
To register, phone PCCS at (508) 487-3622 x101, or email Cathy at
ccs@coastalstudies.org
2 - 6 p.m.
Free Hometown Sail
7 p.m.
Free Community Lecture, Provincetown Public Library, 356 Commercial Street
[Refreshments Served]
"Constructing the Spirit of Massachusetts: Boatbuilders' Memories"
Tony Davis, owner, president, boatbuilder, Arey's Pond Boat Yard
Dan Gould, head boatbuilder, Arey's Pond Boat Yard
For information about the lecture, phone PCCS at (508) 487-3622 x103, or email at
ccsmedia@coastalstudies.org
**
An exhibit on 19th century schooners will open on May 16 thru 25 at the Provincetown Public Library. PCCS, the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, and the Provincetown Public Library will sponsor the exhibit that features the Spirit of Masschusetts, the Rose Dorthea, and the Bowdoin, and to be located on the second floor of the library.
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In addition to Community Days involving school systems, two other educational elements comprise MassSail. Seafaring Camp is open to 13 to 16-year-olds and is comprised of three, one-week learning adventures, exploring the marine environment and learning the time-honored art of seafaring. Through investigations with shipboard educators, participants will observe whales in their natural habitat, collect plankton, perform oceanography experiments, visit historical sites and museums, and share sea songs and stories.
High school juniors and seniors, and college undergraduates, are eligible for Whale Sail 2005, a two-week course - good for three college credits from Cape Cod Community College when successfully completed. Whale Sail 2005 offers a rigorous curriculum in the biology, natural history and conservation of cetaceans in the Gulf of Maine, as well as hands-on cetacean, environmental and oceanographic data collection and time-honored seafaring skills, including navigation.
MassSail programs are taught by experienced educators from PCCS and OCF. The Spirit of Massachusetts carries a crew complement of nine, with twenty-two berths available for overnight trips including Seafaring Camp and Whale Sail 2005. For more information on these summer marine education programs, please contact Joanne M. Jarzobski, PCCS Marine Education Coordinator, at (508) 487-3622 x107.
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The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1976 to protect marine mammals and the marine coastal environment through public education, research and conservation. To learn more about our programs visit our new Gift Shop and Information Center at Aquarium Mall, Store Hours: Sunday thru Thursday, 11 to 5; Friday and Saturday, 10 to 6. PCCS has also opened a Pier Booth at MacMillan Pier, Monday thru Sunday, 10 to 5:30.
The award-winning Ocean Classroom Foundation is a non-profit educational organization that provides programs of sea education and adventure for the youth of America.
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Contact
Theresa M. Barbo
Director of Communications
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
(508) 487-3622 x103 (office)
(774) 353-8034 (mobile)
ccsmedia@coastalstudies.org
Joanne M. Jarzobski
Marine Education Coordinator
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
(508) 487-3622 x107
solution@coastalstudies.org
Editors: A digital image of the Spirit of Massachusetts is available by email.
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