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Read Peter's Poem for the Groundbreaking Ceremony of Gloucester's World War II Veteran's Memorial!!!

Faith'Inlet
By Peter A.Todd 07/25/2004

In eyes view is the works of God
By the prescence of the returning tide
Sitting at peace surrounded by his sod
Letting the Spirit of Jesus within to abide
Children laughing and running about
In circles of life's crazy schemes
Praying to my keeper , wanting to shout
What being in his existance means
The mountains of rocks at the waters edge
Lobster traps and markers outside the shacks
The crystal blue ocean below the ledge
Is the greatness of his gifts in fact
Echoe's of whispers of the power of prayer
Sailboats josling about in gentle breeze
Knowing that his guidance will always be there
All one has to do is confess and beleive
Trusting in Jesus he will lead the way
Through each trial you live and learn
It is in this trust that we strive to stay
So by his grace a re-newed life will return

Conquered Faith
Happy Anniversary my darling Barbara
on our 29th wedding anniversary

My Darling we have climbed many mountains
In search of the life and all we dreamed
For us it has been a youthful fountain
Flowing down the along mountain stream
We have met the face of death three times
In our Faith and courage we've pulled through
In these twenty nine years of love defined
I pray the power of God's healing stays with you
We pledged our vow that in all sickness and health
We would share our bodies as one
Truly it may have not been years of wealth
But it was many treasured times of happiness and fun
My Dearest in our journey we've moved many mountains
For our love has calmed the raging seas
Our life of Faith in prayer has flowed like a fountain
Through the miracles we lived in the hands of he
Who sacrificed his life that we may live
Through this journey we make on the level of time
Now sharing with our loved ones the gift to give
Of the glory of a new and everlasting life in Faith to find

First let me introduce myself properly. My name is Peter A.Todd. As you all know I write poetry.. I do not read the writings of other poets , and I could barely try to equal another's writings. I was born in Gloucester in 1943, a bad time for everybody. Due to those times I spent the first ten years of my life in State homes, again through no fault of my parents or family. I did spend one year in each of the ten homes I was in. This was because of childhood sicknesses.

I lived in Milton, Brockton, Plymouth, Duxbury, Hanover, Plymouth, Kingston, Whitman and Brockton, Mass. I returned home to Gloucester in 1953, with my sister Sylvia, at that time my guardian angel - actually, besides my wife, she still is .

Upon my arrival back to Gloucester we lived at 124 Washington Street, next door to where Dunkin Donuts now stands. In State homes you usually end up with not more than two foster sisters or brothers. It was that fact that made me want to go out and shine shoes, kind of to escape the fact that I had, even at that time, a lot of sisters and brothers, not including the Stewart family of the house I first lived in. For this reason I am going to attempt to give you my personal glimpse of your city, Gloucester. I am calling this Corner to Corner and In-between , because it will represent the now and then of the corners of my life and its in-between's

On my first ride into Gloucester the first corner I noticed was George's Market, which is now George's Coffee Shop. Back then it was a simple corner grocery store that feed the nearby families, but its history is still embedded in it . Dean Sallah is keeping up the family tradition of keeping his customers well fed. I know as I sit at the counter I cannot help but reflect the times when I was working for the Linsky's , mostly Morris. The Linsky's always knew the good places to eat , and George's was one of their favorites. When I look at the wall and see the clammers I think of my Dad when he used to go out and dig clams , take them home , shuck them , and then sell them . George's would always buy them from our Dad . I can reflect on all the Linsky's in later years sitting at the counter and eating breakfasts fit for a King, along with great coffee.

Yes, fond memories do come back to me every I set foot in George's , but the greatest is of that of the generosity of the Sallah Family. I remember Dean's uncle Fred who had the Lebanon Club on Maplewood Ave , where Gloucester Rental now stands. I remember Sam Marshall who also used to be a customer . It is my belief that the picture of the truck on the wall was his , but I need people to advise me of the facts. So I invite you the reader to stop on by , to this famous spot at the entrance of your city. In your visit you will find the greatest of Lebanese and American food .You will also have the pleasure of meeting Dean's Staff , Tina, John Orlando, Helen & Sarah, the younger girls , and speaking of young Lilly and Sam and Leah. In closing let me bring your attention to a new member of Dean's staff , but indeed a well known lady in the food business . Carol has moved from the far corners of Eastern Ave , and has settled into George's . So come on in where eating is the finest and its heritage is vast, and fill you cup with coffee that will last and last and last. Oh rumor has it you can get copies of poems there.

- Peter Todd

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