My View of Life on the Dock
Thank you to all the road crews and good eggs shoveling public ways!
Digging out photos: A few after the winter storm scenes of downtown Gloucester by 9:30AM 12/18/2020. Any surface brick or stone is slick as can be. Evergreen pine trees & wreaths were randomly frosted like the Kancamagus Highway. Yet snow was already gone from the marsh.
Let’s see what tomorrow brings. Wind and snow toppled a small pine in our yard.
photos and video snippets (8 secs): Serious surf with wind pushing spray back. Seabirds ride it out.
video- 4pm looked like… 7am. Wind was fairly constant the whole day. Horizontal!
LIVE – few winter storm scenes (photos and video clips) 12/17/2020 7am Gloucester, Mass
Winter white out storm: snow, rain and wind– gusting big & horizontal which means snow accumulation tallies will drift here. Plows have been out for various first passes.
Storm Freezing up camera
not molasses crinkles, yet:
What’s in a name? This Dec. 17, 2020 winter storm is called Bailey (which is nice timing wise with George Bailey It’s A Wonderful Life), and winter storm Gail.
Stay safe. We’ll see what happens after 1pm.
Have you seen the great Gloucester Youth Leadership Council JUST WEAR IT mask up design on CATA buses and business and organizations around town?
adapted from 1918 PANDEMIC: RECONSTRUCTING HOW THE FLU RAGED THEN FLATTENED IN GLOUCESTER MASSACHUSETTS WHEN 183 DIED IN 6 WEEKS
Mask were encouraged in public appeals in the Gloucester Daily Times 9/30/1918
Directions for making Gauze Face Masks
Gloucester Daily Times 9/30/1918
Use as fine gauze or cheesecloth as possible. Fold material to make five thickness and cut an oblong 3-1/2 x 7-1/2 inches. Make three half-inch plaits at each end, turn in edges and stitch. Cut four feet of tape into four lengths and sew one to each corner. Make box plait 1-1/2 inches in width in one of the long edges of the mask, stitch down one inch. To adjust, place mask over face: tie tapes from upper corner around back of head and tape from lower corners around back of neck. Place box plait over nose. Masks should be worn by attendants whenever caring for those sick with influenza or pneumonia.
They should be changed at two-hour intervals and oftener if wet, and immediately boiled for five minutes, (illegible), or wrapped securely in paper bag or newspaper until they can be boiled.
Now if ever the citizens of Gloucester must meet manfully the terrible calamity that like a thief in the night has come upon the City. Now if ever they must stand should to shoulder, looking out confidently into the future. It is not the time for the brave men and women to turn backward, “Courage, now if ever.” must be written in large letters upon the faces and in the hearts and homes of every citizen. Gloucester men and women have never failed to meet the direst calamity no matter how severe it has been. Many times in her history has the hour seemed the darkest and the cloud has seemed to have no silver lining. War has frequently called (illegible) Gloucester men to battle and many have fallen. Storm and (illegible) has wrecked many a vessel and thousands of her bravest fishermen have (illegible). Fire has twice devastated her principal street. Business (illegible) cast a hoary gloom over the city when hundreds of men have been out of employment and the city has been most insistent in meeting the poverty of the people. Never in all the three hundred years since the landing at Stage Head have the people lost heart nor given up the fight. Standing closer to each other when the day was the darkest, the men and women have looked into each other’s faces and gathering courage have gone about their tasks determined that come what will they would not give up. And today her people, under the lead of men and women whom the emergency has raised up to lead them, will face the future and will do everything that men and women can do to strengthen and sustain those who are sick, those into whose home death has come, those whose hearts may be faltering. Let no one feel that there is nothing for them to do. If they cannot nurse the sick, if they cannot carry sympathy into the homes where death has entered, if they cannot give of the dollar so sadly needed, surely they can do many other things (illegible) and not down out and not in, they can lend (illegible). The request has been made for the co-operation of all persons that they shall give over their own selfish pleasures and that they shall deny themselves in every possible way. Let the request be heeded. Cut out in every way all those things which one can do without. And to those into whose sickness has come there is still a duty and a responsibility. They too must co-operate. They too must have courage. They too must do their part. No person in whose home, there is sickness, no person who is sick or has been sick should mingle with the people until all danger from the sickness has passed. When the danger has passed and not till then must they resume their ordinary routine of living. Courage men and women of Gloucester! Stand shoulder to shoulder as never before. Look manfully into the present and into the future. The Almighty God is still the good Father and He will not forsake His people nor allow Evil to triumph. Courage, the courage of brave hearts and the confidence that is born in faith—these will win the fight. Courage, even if the hour seems the darkest. Be patient, be kind to one another; be calm. All will yet be well.
Gloucester Daily Times Op Ed 9/30/1918
| 1918 Flu pandemic | U.S. population 103.2 million (1917) | 675,000-800,000 estimated deaths (1918-1920) |
| Massachusetts population 3.7 million 3,693,310 (1915) 3,852,356 (1920) | 45,000 (1918-1920) | |
| 2020 covid-19 pandemic | U.S. population 331 million | 300,000+ deaths reached this week |
| Mass. population 6.7 million | 11,388 deaths reached this week |
When the light falls just so on St. Ann’s steeple and Our Lady of Good Voyage domes– thin glints, shimmering, or all out beacon beaming– I try to pull over.
From St. Ann’s to Our Lady even on a hazy day
And ducks. Two photos Dec. 11, 2020
1623 Storefront: Dec. 5 | Dec 12
1623 Studios 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, Mass. (historic Brown’s building)
“Are you looking for some books to get you through the winter season, a holiday cookbook or maybe a gift? The Friends of the Sawyer Free Library are here for you! While our Book Shop is temporarily closed, we have our new mini “Book Nook” with a smaller selection of gently used fiction and audio books as well as DVDs. The “Book Nook” is located to the left of the main desk. Come in and browse our selections at your convenience. All proceeds are used to benefit the Sawyer Free Library. Thank you for your continued support and have a joyous and safe holiday season.“
Colleen Hogan Lopez shares an update from Friends of Sawyer Free Library
A classic Edward Hopper inspired by Gloucester will be sold at Sotheby’s auction this morning*. Architectural and natural elements in the drawing remain recognizable today. The scene overlooks the same house on East Main, Capt. Joe & Sons, and Cripple Cove (see then/now comparison photos below). The Gorton’s factory building there burned down. Cripple Cove playground is the green on the right of the Hopper image.
The drawing last changed hands in 1989 when the Horchows purchased the drawing from Kennedy Galleries in New York. Will it land in another private collection or an institution?
Edward Hopper (1882-1967), Gloucester Factory and House, 1924, watercolor and pencil on paper, 14″ x 20″, from the Carolyn & Roger Horchow collection (Dallas,TX) They purchased the drawing in 1989 from Kennedy Galleries, NYC.
Lot 8 estimate $800,000-$1,200,00 currently at $600,000 bid before the auction opens
*Update- With just 56 lots to sell and two withdrawn ahead of sale, Lot 8 came up quickly with a few competing bids and a hammer price of $700,000 ($867,000 with fees), below estimate.
Many lots before and after were short of estimate or passed (unsold) including a Winslow Homer watercolor which was “reoffered” by pausing the bidding on the final lot #56 to return to Lot #16 (which sold for 2 million hammer price) before moving back to the final lot, an Edward Willis Refield (which sold for $250,000). That whoopsie “reoffer” is highly unusual**. The auction house scrambled to bring that phone bidder forward before the close of the sale. A second Homer watercolor passed at 850,000.
The Sotheby’s December 11, 2020 auction offered a variety of American art from various collections. The sale results were a mixed bag of purchases, passes, and pulled works. Only one work sold far above estimate, thanks to a bidding war, a western scene by John F. Clymer. Scroll below the Hopper and Gloucester images to see the Homer.
above photo: Catherine Ryan
above: page from Edward Hopper all around Gloucester by Catherine Ryan, 2010
above: Sotheby’s catalogue entry page
In 2017, Christies sold a Rockefeller Hopper painting, Cape Ann Granite, also in December, which I wrote about here: Bring it Home.
**December 11, 2020 Winslow Homer Lot 16 sold at Sotheby’s after passing first in the live sale and then “Reoffered” before the close of sale. For both the first and second offer window, the bid opened at 1.8 million. In the first round the bidding went back and forth, but “passed” at 2.2 million, presumably failing to meet reserve or presale estimate (2.5 – 3.5 million). Before the final lot of the sale, the auctioneer annouced a “re-offer” for Lot 16 after the audio went silent for a brief time. The drawing was sold to a buyer placing a phone bid for 2 million hammer price (2,440,000 after fees), less than the “pass” of the first time through. This move is nearly an aftersale during the sale. Perhaps the first time around the buyer was late to the call or there was confusion determining the “up to” amount, factoring in the fees.
Property from a Prominent Private Collection
Winslow Homer
1836 – 1910
Two Girls on the Beach, Tynemouth
signed Winslow Homer and dated 1881 (lower left)
watercolor and pencil on paper
14 1/8 by 20 inches
Cape Ann Veterans Services building and grounds wrapped in lights
Two more – courtesy photos of Cape Ann Veterans Services shared with GMG
And more hope (courtesy photos shared with GMG) – another house one can view from Centennial and visible from Cape Ann Veterans Services
Understandably there is no Middle Street Walk 2020, so Middle Street looks different this season. There is an endearing Dinosaur visiting. Ho Ho Ho ha ha ha!
**The Sun newspaper editorial board response to “Is there a Santa Claus’ query from an 8 year old was published September 21, 1897 on page 6 (Library of Congress). Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
Also twinkling nearby (Middle, Pine, School & Proctor, Chestnut)
More lights? Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2020 map- tour from your car or keyboard.
p.s. Perkins St. extravaganza completed
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Map additions- Perkins and Ledgemont
Carl’s Cones ice cream shop 185 Washington Street Gloucester, Mass. Facebook link
Ice cream, froyo, ice cream cookie sandwiches …plus they’re open late- and they deliver!
Surfari will be relocating from Main Street to a larger space on 88 Bass Avenue, with more parking and closer to Good Harbor Beach. The space is across from Charlie’s and next to Cape Ann Coffees.
Shop Surfari open on Main Street now for December specials.
Note: Serendipity Playhouse closed in this space in October. Stay tuned for future news and reach out to them about their extensive character costume collection for rentals.
first snow Dec. 8, 2020
This is the sixth and final in a series featuring Christmas lights on 200+ decorated homes throughout neighborhoods in Gloucester Massachusetts for the 2020 season. Festive displays range from draped garland lights & wrapped trees to elaborate tableaus. Gloucester is beautiful! Streets that are covered in this post:
MAGNOLIA AREA
Downtown
CENTENNIAL DRIVE ADDITIONS
Abbott Road | East Gloucester additions
West Gloucester additions
Follow links to see scenes from other Gloucester neighborhoods (or follow through to the end of the post and look for/select page 1,2)
Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Gloucester Massachusetts map 2020. Photos have been added to the Google maps: tour by car or keyboard!
FAQ – how to print
The map is smart phone ready with house pictures. If you want to print the map see below: (1) navigate to the map page URL and (2) click on the three dots menu bar on the upper right. Pull down and select “print” PDF as of 12/7/2020
Updated
Selection of Gloucester’s downtown storefronts in morning light and seasonal swag December 2020.
Did you discover a great find on Ladies Night (all day) last week?
Establishments include some of the bakeries, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, salons, service, & new shops Main Street, Center and Pleasant:
Banana’s 78 Main St (978)283-8806 (Lady Tannenbaum in the window)
The Brass Monkey 85 Main St (978) 879-4761
Caffe Sicilia 40 Main St (978)283-7345
Cape Ann Olive Oil 57 Main St (978)281-1061
Cape Ann Savings Bank 109 Main St
Charles Fine Art 196 Main St (978) 559-7762
Dogtown Books 132 Main St (978) 281-5599
Emerson’s Barber Shop 6 Center St. (978) 290-3477
Engel & Volkers 120 Main Street
Fireflies Boutique 100 Main St (978)283-1379
Franklin 118 Main St (978)283-7888
Jalapeno’s 86 Main St (978) 283-8228
Jane Deering Gallery 19 Pleasant St
Local Colors Artists’ Cooperative Gallery 121 Main St (978) 283-3996
Main Street Arts & Antiques 124 Main St (978) 281-1531
Mark Adrian Shoe 103 Main St (978) 283-4343
Nelson’s 248 Main St (978) 283-5675
Oliver’s Harbor Restaurant and Bar 64 Main St (978) 559-7638
Pop Gallery 67 Main St (617)458-9345
Salon One 267 Main St (978) 479-9185
Sample This 116 Main St (978) 865-3873
Shop Loro Boutique (Center Street)
Super Cute Boutique 242 main St (978) 360-2499
TAJ/breakwater Roasters/Backyard Growers 3 Duncan St
Toodeloos! Toy store 142 Main St (978)281-2011
Matthew Swift Gallery 189 Main St (978) 491-7785
Blue River Diamonds 189 Main St
Village Silversmith 138 Main St (978) 283-8811
Virgilio’s Italian Bakery (978) 283-5295
Wind and rain
Emergency Management Agencies power outage tracking MEMA map
Scenes of Annisquam: Annisquam Village Hall; Annisquam Bridge; white lights and wreaths and trees at junctions. Followed with en route detours off Washington Street via Cherry, Spruce, Gee, Finch Lane, Reynard, Holly Street | Goose Cove Lane (near Willow Rest), Dennison
Washington Street plus detours via Cherry, Spruce, Gee, Finch Lane, Reynard, Holly Street | Goose Cove Lane (near Willow Rest), Dennison
Print out
The map is smart phone ready with house pictures. If you want to print the map see two pictures below: (1) navigate to the map page URL and (2) click on the three dots menu bar on the upper right. Pull down and select “print” PDF as of 12/5/2020
Updated
Steady rain this morning. First snow coming? A winter weather warning caution begins after 1pm continuing through tomorrow (with possible wind gusts as much as 60mph)
First snow poll
Photos: 7AM/9AM | At daybreak the one twin light was beaming
Good Morning Gloucester 