New Bedford FHC Highlights Ernestina Sails and Fishing Families

You can experience the excitement of sailing out of New Bedford Harbor onboard the recently refurbished Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey. The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is partnering with the Ernestina-Morrissey Association to offer four public sails onboard the schooner, with two sails in May and two in September.

FHC Programs Director Joe Ritter stopped by Townsquare Sunday with details about the Ernestina sails and other activities at the center over the next two months.

"This is the second year we've hosted this partnership. You will experience about a three-hour voyage, and you get to see the historic Ernestina in full-sail," he said. "I went on the first sail last year, and you can expect a rip-roaring good time on the high seas."

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As you might imagine, tickets for the Ernestina-Morrissey sails ($60) are going fast. Ritter advises anyone thinking about the sail to act now. Visit the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center website for more information and tickets.

April 10 will see another exhibit in the FHC's Hauling Back Project, a study of generational fishing families in our area. Eastern Fisheries, founded in 1978 by Roy Enoksen and Frank O'Hara, now operates one of the largest fish processing plants in New Bedford and does business around the world. According to Ritter, it also owns the world's largest scallop fleet.

"The exhibit will include some history of the business, along with photos and some video, and artifacts from the business itself," Ritter said.

Other attractions in April include another film in the Center's Dock-u-mentary series, featuring a story about difficulties facing Maine commercial fishermen. The film will be shown April 18 at 7 p.m. at the National Park Visitors Center. Admission is free.

The FHC is again featuring another seafood cooking demonstration on April 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Greater New Bedford Vocational-Technical High School. Featured will be Mexican-Chinese seafood dishes with Chef Gui Aguilar of 222 Union Street (the Harbor Hotel). Tickets are $50 and can be obtained through the center's website.

If you would like your organization or nonprofit featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.

Take a Photo Tour of the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is celebrating five years of providing education and information about the city's most vital industry. While these photos can give you an idea of what it's all about, the exhibits are interactive and hands-on, so check it out for yourself.

Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg

Massachusetts Wildlife You Can Legally Take Home as Pets

Massachusetts has such diverse wildlife, but also strict limitations on what you can bring home and cuddle. In fact, there are only certain reptiles and amphibians you can keep as pets (so no raccoons, squirrels, bunnies, etc.) and you are only allowed two of each. The state also says "you cannot sell, barter, or exchange them." Also, keep in mind, these are wildlife, so it's probably best to just leave them be and maybe visit a reptile shop instead to get your next pet.

Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg

Source: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center Highlights Ernestina Sails and Fishing Families