Month: January 2025

We stopped by the Lowell’s Boat Shop on Main St in Amesbury this week for something to do on a cold January day. It’s an unassuming exterior but inside is PACKED with boat building paraphernalia, history and sawdust. We were warmly greeting by docent Patty when we entered through a very small entryway, but the rest of the time that we were there opened up a world of craftsmanship, education and (again) sawdust. It’s a working museum which was orginally established in 1793 and stayed in the same family for almost 200 years. Ownership transferred but the traditions remained to crown it the oldest working wooded boat shop continuously operating in America. This National Historic Landmark mostly features dories, but other boat styles are also featured as well as wooded boat repairs. There is a close tie to Gloucester dories.

In particular an interesting artifact is the hand carved record of the year and the dories built in those years….hundreds of them each year! (Check out the photo). The staff provides education in many ways including the after school apprentice program, adult classes and programs open to the public. It was really quite a delight and I recommend you take the short ride to this little gem along the Merrimack River. Thanks to director Graham and Patty for the intense and interesting lesson in the history of the boat shop and dory building. So many photos because there are so many intriguing spots within.

Free and open to the public

Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 4th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival on January 25 and 26, 2025 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm! Over 1,800 people came out last year to share their salty pride while enjoying free ice sculptures and cultural activities around Downtown Gloucester.

The Cape Ann Museum is partnering with Discover Gloucester and several local cultural institutions and businesses to offer two full days of free programming in the coldest part of the year. Inspired by the annual Salem’s So Sweet event, this two-day event will include ice sculptures, live music, salty treats, free kids’ art activities, and much more.

Find all 10 ice sculptures around downtown Gloucester!
Grab a map from the Cape Ann Museum Information Tent, 27 Pleasant St., and find all 10 salty sculptures!

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Offers and Activities:

All Weekend (Saturday, Jan. 25th & Sunday, Jan. 26th)
Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner, or a Sweet & Salty Cocktail, in an Igloo at Mile Marker One, 75 Essex Ave Route 133
25% discount on room rates, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn, 1 Nautilus Road, Gloucester
20% off all salt grinders and salt cellars, Goodlinens Studio, 130 Main St.
20% off salt and select products, Cape Ann Olive Oil, 57 Main St.
Buy one, get one free chocolate chip cookie specially topped with Maldon Salts! Source Bakery, 3 Duncan St.
Grab a piece of saltwater taffy + 20% – 50% Off sale Fireflies Boutique, 100 Main St.
Add larger-than-life magnetic words to make Salty Poetry Snippets + check out a free and $1 book cart, Dogtown Books, 132 Main St.
10% off select ‘Salty Books,’ The Bookstore of Gloucester, 61 Main St.
$2 Salted caramel lattes and $20 Salty Crew Necks, Castaways Vintage Café, 65 Main St.
Stay warm and cozy with our amazing socks! All socks Buy 3, Get 1 FREE! Mark Adrian Shoes, 103 Main St.
15% off ALL fine art at the Jon Sarkin Studio, 39 Main St.
Free fish gibbet or shark sticker, $20 Gloucester Lobster or Tuna SPF Hoodie, $30 Puffer Jackets & salty treats at Gloucester Apparel, 44 Main St.
Open mic poetry readings at Lockwood Studios, 2 Eastern Ave.
Free stickers (New designs!) & free candy at Toodeloos, 142 Main St.
Paw-Garita with purchase (Dog friendly cucumber drink) at Masshole & Co. Pet Provisions, 137 Main St.
25% off select items at The Cave, 44 Main St.
40% off storewide and complimentary prosecco at Design of Mine (New location!), 33 Main St.
25% Off sale on select items + fun giveaways and treats at the Pop Gallery, 67 Main St.

Saturday, Jan. 25th
Sea Shanties by Three Sheets to the Wind, with Sing Along, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2pm – 4pm, 10 Church Street
Make a “Salty Craft,” Maritime Gloucester, 10am – 4pm, 23 Harbor Loop
Seasoned Snowman Popcorn Bags with The Open Door at Sawyer Free Library, 10:30am-12:00pm, 21 Main Street
Open Mic Poetry Readings, Lockwood Studios, 3pm – 5pm, 2 Eastern Ave.
Vintage Filagree Treasures Embedded – an “Eye spy” search and find hidden items, at Lockwood Studios, 2 Eastern Ave.

Sunday, Jan. 26th
Make a “Salty Craft,” at Maritime Gloucester, 10am – 4pm, 23 Harbor Loop
Paint saltwater dough fish, while supplies last, Local Colors, 121 Main St
Open Mic Poetry Readings with light refreshments, Lockwood Studios, 3pm – 5pm, 2 Eastern Ave.
20$ Salty Suncatchers with Saltwater at Pat D’s Photos, 44 Main St.
Raffle + One day only Special Drinks (Frosty Tide, Salty Beach) at Shore Nutrition, 139 Main St.
Vintage Filagree Treasures Embedded – an “Eye spy” search and find hidden items, at Lockwood Studios, 2 Eastern Ave.

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A post shared by Blake Mallen | SHIFT (@blakemallen)

So you can get 12 wings for $6 order a beer, use your $10 credit and have hardly any bill.

So tell me again why you wouldn’t download the Serenitee app?

Sky’s the Limit…

Has anyone had the Fried chicken on Thurdsays From Chef Jenx?

We’re planning to check it out!

It’s pretty heavy duty. Let me know if you’d like it.

Sharing information from the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce:

You asked, we listened, we will offer February Vacation programs once again. These notoriously sell out each session so make sure to sign up soon. www.MaritimeGloucester.org/upcoming-events

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCPbkNsJpiX/?igsh=MTA0a2o3Nml2bnRiYQ==

Passing Through…