My View of Life on the Dock
Happy Chanukah 2022
Reminder – Menorah lighting celebration is tomorrow, Tuesday Dec. 20th, 2022, 5:30-6pm
Day | Night photos: Lobster trap menorah is up. The 3rd candle will be lit in sequence tomorrow. The shamash candle raised in the center is lit first, to help light the others.
Here’s hoping that the heavily accessed– and heavy!– door at the Rose Baker Senior Center parking lot entrance will be remedied as soon as possible. Of all the doors in Gloucester, it’s this one for seniors, in most active use, that’s a mystery to me why it’s not automatic. I’m there a couple of times a week dropping off and picking up. Every time I see people with canes, walkers, and strength issues unable to pull that door.
Rose Baker Senior Center exterior was attended to in 2019 with the new parking lot, and
yet that door wasn’t fixed.
More exterior work is slated soon as a new roof is coming (see 2022 bid notice here) and replacement HVAC unit (see 2022 bid notice here). The city’s contracted state-of-the-state building plan road map (read here) does not include such glaringly red flag accessibility issues as this one despite studies and phases. Trusting that the door can be updated by them this month because of cold and inclement weather. It’s very windy in that lot, too. While they’re at it, they could throw in a button at the temporary SFL site, 21 Main St.
Gloucester neighborhoods are shining bright! There are some 350 houses on the 2022 map. The map is smart phone ready with house pictures. A little light goes a long and welcome warm way. It’s dark so early now!
New homes mapped on December 14th,16th, &18th cover some of Gloucester’s main roads, mostly in West Gloucester, Magnolia, and along Rt. 127. Enjoy scenes from:
(Scroll down to see photos. Pinch and zoom or double click depending upon your phone/desktop. On mine I double click and then have to select “Full size”. Scroll down to map.)
and buoy ornaments inside and out
Annual merry dazzler Rt. 133
Batch 1 photos and gifs published 12/5 here
Batch 2 photos and gifs 12/9 here
Batch 3 photos and gifs 12/13 here
Christmas Topper: Rooftop Santa and Reindeer… on the car roof. With twinkling tree. And Hope, Peace.
merry car – “crazy hat” car decked out in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Dec. 16, 2022
Question: On Sunday, December 11, 2022, Jill wrote GMG wondering if the photographs she found showed a Gloucester hotel.
They don’t.
“Hello,
I came upon your website while trying to research some old photos. I have an old photo album, c. 1900s – 10s, of people from Boston. This hotel (see attachment) looks similar to the Oceanside Hotel, but not similar enough. I don’t know your area at all and wondered if you wouldn’t mind taking a look and seeing if it looks familiar? Thank you so much for your time.
Jill, email to GMG Sunday, December 11, 2022, 1:09 PM
Jill mentions Gloucester’s glamorous Oceanside Hotel as a comp, recognizing that it’s a close one but no cigar, and so many grand resorts operating at this time in our area. This special postcard shows Oceanside Hotel, Gloucester, MA, a 400 room hotel built in 1878. The building burned down to its foundation in 1958.
*photo of a postcard from the David Cox postcard collection, shared with me, and featured on the HarborWalk.
The Buena Vista Springs was a luxury property banking on expectations of the tony Pen-Mar vision: a scenic park and amusement destination development that was constructed in 1877 on the Pennsylvania and Maryland border in the Blue Ridge mountains accessible by direct rail from regional hubs. The opulent hotel was built out ca. 1890 but shuttered fast– its short run a casualty of the 1893 financial crash. New owners stepped in. The building stood until a 1967 fire.
Both historic hotel properties reveal an elaborate architectural design, room capacity, timeline, and collapse. Both hotels catered to their respective regional brass and competed for summer destination status promising relief from the heat. One hailed its coastal bona fides, the other its proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Gettysburg, and clean, healing waters. Clean fresh air and water was emphasized at the time of the Russian Flu Pandemic, hence the marketing of “springs” in the name which doubled as short hand differentiation from other Buena Vista towns.
one could hike there- advertised in printed matter
See the original Rennert’s marketing brochure from the Collection of the National Library of Medicine
“What the Catskills and the Adirondacks are to New York, Buena Vista Springs–the most enchanting spot of the Blue Ridge (the Alps of America)–is destined to be to Baltimore and Washington, a resort for the betterment of health, pleasurer and recreation. It is easy to access: taking as the starting point, Baltimore, to which railroads from the North, South, East and West converge, the route lies over the Western Maryland Railroad, a line which traverses a section of country charming in the picturesqueness of its undulating lands, and which has been described as the Garden of the state by travellers of discernment. There is not a mile of this territory but has its special features to entrance the eye and leave their pleasant impression…Seated in these luxuriously appointed parlor cars, the visitors are whirled past towns and villages, pastoral scenes and busy mills, until a faint tint of azure fringes the landscape–the first glimpse of the Blue Ridge. The special “Blue Mountain Express” trains make the distance of seventy one miles between Baltimore and Buena Vista Spring Station in about two hours…”
Buena Vista Spring Hotel pamphlet – PDF here – includes topo map and floor plan
“Buena Vista Spring Hotel is most advantageously situated; There are no mountains rising above or near it to shut off the ozone impregnated air. The mountain zephyrs, in all the wantonness of summer idling, have free and obstructed access, and freighted with the odors of a thousand blooms and the balsamic aroma of a thousand mountain blooms and the balsamic aroma of a thousand mountain pines…”
Water analysis as sales tool:
Gettysburg back cover
1913 “Love Affair Again Rumored “
Hotel guests included foreign dignitaries and politicians. Medical conferences were a draw including at the time of the 1918 Flu Pandemic; the locale maintained a focus as a restorative retreat. (For more about the 1918 Flu epidemic and Gloucester see here)
1915 – “Tuberculosis taken up by conference”
1916 – “Rotarians Plan Trip by Motor for Days Outing”
Regional Tourism AD
100 more homes mapped as of December 9, 2022. New streets (and/or newly lit homes on previously mapped streets), especially in East Gloucester, include:
Abbott Road, Abbot Place (off Harrison), Bass Ave., Brightside Ave, Chapel St., Crestwood Terrace (off Harrison), Davis St., Decatur St., East Main St., Grapevine Road, Green St., Harrison Ave., Hartz, Haskell, High Popples, Jacques Lane, Mt. Pleasant Ave., Perkins St., Rocky Pasture Rd., Skywood Terrace (off Harrison), Witham
Dec. 12, 2022
Good Harbor Beach, marsh estuary, Back Shore, Long Beach
Finch Lane
Gloucester nearing 200 sparkling homes added to the map so far. Batch 2 (this post) streets include :Arthur Ct., Carlisle Ave., Cherry St., Cleveland St., Collins Ave, Doane Road, Essex Ave, Finch Lane, Gloucester Avenue, Honeysuckle Road, Lupine, Maplewood (near Poplar bend), Marchant, Millet St., Montvale Avenue, Mystic Ave., Reynard, Riverside Ave., Sargent St., Shore Hill Road, Riverside Ave., Thatcher, Thornhill Way, Thurston Point, Warner St., Washington St (at Piraino), Washington St. (near Capt. Hooks), Wheeler Street, Whittemore St.
First Batch streets: Centennial Drive, Cherry St (near O’Maley), Crestwood Ter. – Skywood Ter. (off harrison), Derby St., Elizabeth Road, Essex Ave / Rt. 133 (between Kent Circle and Little River), Fleetwood Dr., Friend Ct., Green St., Grove St &Colonial, Grove near Maplewood, Hampden & Gaffney, Hodgkin St., Lendall St off Harrison, Lupine Lane, Maplewood at Derby, corner Mt Vernon & Oak St, Perkins St., Poplar St., Reservoir Road, Reynard St., Spruce St., Starknaught, Washington St. (between Azorean and the rotary)
countdown clock – Millet St.
More to come. photos: c. ryan, Dec. 6, 2022. Click or pinch and zoom to enlarge.
It’s easy touring whether by car or via smartphone, desktop, or preferred device. Grab a hot chocolate and go or view from home! Imagination and themed repeat visits encouraged.
Notes about the map: This map is great in the embed mode because when you scroll down, each house photo(s) pop up, with a big arrow that directs you to that one point. From a desktop, hovering or right clicking the house icons reveal the photos for each pinpoint. For those who prefer a paper copy –which doubles as a seek and find sheet–click on the three vertical dots and then select “print” (horizontal mode best) from pull down menu. You can also google search Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Good Morning Gloucester.
2021 Map here
2020 Map here
Finch Lane twinkling tree, Thurston Point Rudolph with your nose so bright, Cleveland chatoyant
Tis’ the season of lights! Bright and colorful festivals of light illuminate dark nights heightening religious and secular celebrations and traditions around the world. October – February holidays include: Diwali, Bodhi Day, Lucia’s Day, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, New Year’s, Lunar New Year, Teng Chieh, and many more.
Gloucester’s Lobster trap tree lighting 4:30pm culminates Gloucester’s enchanting Middle Street Walk (program here) all day 10-4:30pm! Holiday Delights 1pm at the Legion. https://middlestreetwalk.org/
Jul Fest Spiran Lodge, Rockport, MA 9am – 1pm
Temple Ahavat Achim’s Lobster trap menorah lighting – Hanukkah 18-26 — celebration Dec. 20 5:30-6pm
mini lobster trap tree – Finch Ln
Dec. 6, 2022
6th annual Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Gloucester, Massachusetts – the web-based digital map on Google is now LIVE!
Gloucester 100 sparkling homes added to the map so far. Streets include: Centennial Drive, Cherry St (near O’Maley), Derby St., Elizabeth Road, Essex Ave / Rt. 133 (between Kent Circle and Little River), Fleetwood Dr., Friend Ct., Green St., Grove St &Colonial, Grove near Maplewood, Hampden & Gaffney, Hodgkin St., Lendall St off Harrison, Lupine Lane, Maplewood at Derby, corner Mt Vernon & Oak St, Perkins St., Poplar St., Reservoir Road, Reynard St., Skywood Terrace off Harrison, Spruce St., Starknaught, Washington St. (between Azorean and the rotary)
Bright Nights and Sights.
If you’re looking for holiday cheer any day of the week, you can’t beat the New England charm of twinkling homes and neighborhoods in Gloucester, Massachusetts. For the 6th year in a row, enjoy a selection of seasonal lights and Christmas displays on Gloucester houses. Many streets join in together, glittering, and have for years. Every year is unique. With each passing new day more homes are decorated. Since 2019, the year’s curated selection –on average some 200+ homes– has been google mapped and each pinpoint has a photo(s).
Scroll down to see the first batch of photos for the 2022 map (as of December 4, 2022), and 2022 trends further down. More homes and neighborhoods will be added, so be sure to check back.
Photos: C. Ryan, Nov. 24, 28, and Dec. 4, 2022
Trends so far? 2022 is looking like The Year of “JOY” signs, which by the way is an easy & cheery Ispy addition for Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives. Also, illuminated green sequined wreaths and evergreen kissing ball pairs framing doors.
It’s easy touring whether by car or via smartphone, desktop, or preferred device. Grab a hot chocolate and go or view from home! Imagination and themed repeat visits encouraged.
Notes about the map: This map is great in the embed mode because when you scroll down, each house photo(s) pop up, with a big arrow that directs you to that one point. From a desktop, hovering or right clicking the house icons reveal the photos for each pinpoint. For those who prefer a paper copy –which doubles as a seek and find sheet–click on the three vertical dots and then select “print” (horizontal mode best) from pull down menu. You can also google search Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Good Morning Gloucester.
2021 Map here
2020 Map here
205 Main Street
Nov 3 | Dec 4, 2022
Before | After view from Rogers
Before | After view from lot
The Cape Ann YMCA presents annual gem – HOLIDAY DELIGHTS 2022
Showtimes at Gloucester’s stately landmark, the American Legion
Middle Street Walk Dec. 10 – printable PDF
Local ware – lighthouse ornaments with stands (can be hung on wall or window, too); local history books by Pru Fish; holiday gifts 2022 at Pauline’s Gifts from the Heart, (978) 281-5558. 512 Essex Ave, Gloucester, MA
Congratulations to Pauline’s Gifts for receiving a Retailers Association of Massachusetts Award for Excellence in November 2022!
10-11:30 Saturday December 3, 2022 – Free family fun!
A reading and book signing of The Tree In Dock Square at Sawyer Free Library **location on Main Street**
with special guests author Jean Woodbury and artist Bonnie L. Sylvester
The bright library is in the space memorably outfitted by Rob Newton’s Cape Ann Community Cinema (now in Rockport). His investments into upgrades and renovations –concession stand, lobby, viewing room (staff and Wellspring meeting uses), handicap accessible bathrooms, and more– are well suited for the retrofitted library zones. Stairs/elevator to 2nd floor. Ground Floor is Mystery Train. Note: The elevator is to the right when you walk in the entry. (65 Rogers/21 Main –the only entrance is on Main)
Dec. 2, 2022, 4-4:45pm!
TOHP Burnham Library, Essex Town Hall is such a lovely spot to visit. Entrance on the right.
Festive sounds and sights- Wending in and out stores, sidewalks, and restaurants enlivening all of Main Street
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style!
Design of Mine Dancing angels captivated little ones and shoppers Ladies Night 2022, Gloucester, Ma.
And the tables! Not a man was stirring 🎅 🙂
Gloucester artist, Emily Grace, has delivered a bold delight downtown. Magnolia Sunshine, her vivid new mural for the exterior wall of Bravo by the Sea , is complete and its immediacy lures you in.
I asked Emily about her inspiration and design:
“I was so glad when Beth (Beth Gibeley Panagos, Bravo owner) asked me to do my own style for the mural. All of the shapes and bright colors are the way I love to work and it’s just awesome when you get someone to commission you for something and they really want YOU. When thinking about the art for the space, we knew it needed to be Gloucester themed, and then we thought it would be great if it could be Magnolia themed since Beth and I both live in Magnolia.
I’m so honored to be able to bring my work right to Main St, it’s one of my favorite places on Earth, being a Gloucester girl!”
Emily Grace, November 2022
Emily Grace finished “Magnolia Sunshine” on Nov. 27, 2022. Did you spot the cherished landmarks? The completed mural features local scenes: a sunny surrealist horizon and lush floral border, Magnolia pier, harbor, and Kettle Island.
Emily Grace resides in Gloucester and is a Junior Painting Major at Salem State. You can see more Emily Grace art here: Instagram: @e.grace.art and Etsy ArtbyEmilyGStudio
Bravo for Emily Grace Mural for Bravo by the Sea! photos: C. Ryan Nov. 30, 2022.
Good Morning Gloucester 