Author: Nichole S.

Mako was up for the challenge of supervising Finn as he cut down our Christmas tree this year. Our first year getting a tree without Thatcher as he’s living his best life down in Florida. Sad for us….but exciting for him as he spreads his wings.

Pink sky in morning……. It was a pretty wintry scene this morning.

I typically stop by Googans Galley in downtown Essex about once per week on the way to work or while out and about over the weekend. If you haven’t been, or haven’t been in a while, make a point to stop by. It is super festive in there right now! As always, their gift selection is to die for and they also just put out their holiday cookie assortment and have delicious winter beverages.

The Lobster’s Sticky Rib Salad was pretty excellent. Ribs aren’t necessarily something I would normally order out, but I’m so glad I tried this. It was delicious.

There is still some time left to purchase raffle tickets to win one of three great prizes. All proceeds from this raffle will be donated to the Christopher Dailey Memorial Fund and the winning tickets will be drawn at the GHS home opener on Saturday, December 13th. Look below for prizes and Venmo information. Please note that in addition to the two prizes listed on the flyer below, a Secret Santa surprised us with prize #3! Bruins Tickets for the Bruins vs. Vegas Golden Knights. Thursday Jan 22 -7pm. Sec Loge6 Row5 Seat 17&18. A big Thank You (listed below) to all who donated to the fundraiser.

Tickets for the Opening Night game will include the 6:15 pregame ceremony for Chris Dailey Night where his number will be retired. Those tickets go on sale tonight at 5:00 on GoFan and the link is provided below. It is going to be a very special night, to honor an incredibly special player who is missed every single day by so many. Help honor Chris’ giving spirit by purchasing raffle tickets so that his Memorial Fund can continue to make a difference in his honor.

https://gofan.co/app/school/MA14579

Special thank you to: GHS Hockey Boosters, Joey Loiacano (Tonno), Zach Sears (Minglewood), Fireflies, Rockport Mortgage, Marrone Family, Envogue Salon, Regina Loiacano, Mahoney Family, Sanfilippo Family, Harnish Family, Curley Family, Team Smitty, Lambert Family, Tarr Family, Francis Family, Albano Family, Joey Ciamataro (Good Morning Gloucester), Jamie Mathison (One Ocean), Sarofeen Family, Dan’s Tree Farm, Palazolla Family, Treetop Yoga, ACM Rink, Again and Again Sail Bags, Ruby Hearts, Todd Mazzeo, Sweats of New England, Joe Orlando, Amero Family, Linn Family, Brian Doyle, Connor Curley and all who generously donated to the fundraiser. Thank you!

Here’s this week’s music line up at The Rhumb Line. As always, live music seven days per week.

Here’s this week’s live music schedule! See you there.

To kick off the season, GHS Hockey will be doing something special and holding a raffle with some incredible prizes (see flyer and click on post for all details). ALL proceeds from this will be donated to the Christopher Dailey Memorial Fund. Thank you to local businesses and families for your generous donations to this! A list of “thank yous” will be posted soon.

Venmo is below. If you would like to enter and do not do Venmo, the phone number to inquire is 978-821-1414. Thank you all!

While Joey and Chris and Donna were eating canned fish on Sunday I snuck out for brunch at the James in Essex. It was quiet when we first got there and was packed when we left. There was music and a great crowd….definitely a fun place to spend a few hours.

https://www.thejamespub.com/

I love a great concert in the city! It has been a while since I’ve been to the Orpheum Theatre, but I was lucky enough to be treated to Sarah McLachlan last night and it was amazing. Her voice is truly breathtaking.

If you listened to last Sunday’s podcast you heard us taking about wanting something like this to come to Gloucester in the winter months. I’ve been talking about it forever, but….admittedly….haven’t applied myself to do much about it. These photos are from Cambridge. A couple of food trucks (beer trucks), some great fire pits, some big yard games like shuffle board, ping pong, connect four, bowling, corn hole, Jenga….. With some lights strung up and some music piped in, it would be such a cool place to gather in the winter. Certainly not looking to take away from our great restaurants and businesses, but with so many other places closed for the winter months adding something like this would still leave plenty of business to go around to support our regularly opened establishments and give something festive/outdoors to supplement the season.

This seagull was taking his turn as watch keeper on his perch over Maritime Gloucester. I wonder what he’s thinking……

The Gloucester community came together is such a special way this summer as so many mourned the tragic loss of Christopher Dailey. This Memorial Fund will continue to honor Chris’ giving spirit. Please take a moment to visit the new website, make a donation if you can, and learn of ways Chris continues to make a positive impact in the lives of so many. Visit the website HERE: https://www.chrisdaileymemorialfund.com/

Christopher Joseph Dailey (known by his friends as “Dails”) was born in Beverly, MA in 2006 and grew up in nearby Gloucester. Chris attended Rockport schools through 8th grade, and was involved in many youth sports including baseball, soccer and lacrosse; but his true love was hockey. Learning to skate at just two years old, Chris went on to become a four-year varsity player for the Gloucester High School Fishermen, serving as co-captain and earning the distinction of Defenseman of the Year his senior year. Also during his time at Gloucester High School, he was a member of the National Honor Society, and a proud graduate of the GHS Class of 2025, eagerly anticipating beginning his studies in business at Coastal Carolina University in the fall of 2025.

Chris sustained serious injuries in a car accident caused by a wrong-way driver—injuries from which he was unable to recover. Just hours before the accident, he was surrounded by close friends while taking part in Gloucester’s treasured tradition of walking the greasy pole during the annual Saint Peter’s Fiesta—an experience he had dreamed of since childhood. In a final act of profound selflessness, Chris donated his organs at Tufts Medical Center, giving the gift of life to others and leaving a lasting legacy of generosity and compassion.

Chris was known for his infectious personality, warm heart, and a contagious smile that lit up any room. He was known to be the “life of the party,” and his adventurous spirit led him to spend treasured moments at the beach, fishing, skiing, riding dirt bikes, or just hanging out and making memories with friends and family. Chris was always willing to lend a helping hand, offer encouragement, or simply share laughter with classmates, teammates, and loved ones. He loved his family and friends unconditionally and never hesitated to share that love which will live eternally in our hearts forever.

https://www.chrisdaileymemorialfund.com/

There is still some time to call CleanPro and take advantage of this November promo to clean those air ducts! 10% off and TONS of peace of mind. Other important benefits are improved air quality, odor reduction, better HVAC efficiency, and increased airflow efficiency. Call CleanPro at 978-281-3939 or visit their website here:

https://www.cpcleanpro.com/

I looked out my living room window last night and could see a faint color in the sky. As is the trick, I held up my phone and immediately was treated to an amazing display. I went for a drive to Rocky Neck, to Pirates Lane, to the boulevard, Cape Ann Marina, Cape Ann Motor Inn, and then Rockport. By the time I got to T Wharf and Motif No. 1 the lights were incredibly bright and 100% visible to the naked eye. A gentleman with a tripod/camera and two women (all strangers) and I stood dumbfounded together. Maybe they’ll see this post. If so, it was nice to share such an incredible moment with you. I then backtracked and discovered that red lights could be seen easily over Long Beach, over Nugent Farm, and even over my own house back in East Gloucester.

Enjoy a night at Cape Ann Motor Inn on December 4th or 11th to celebrate Ladies’ Night and/or Men’s Night Holiday Shopping downtown and get 10% off! Two of our favorite holiday nights in town are Ladies’ Night and Men’s Night. The downtown area is hopping with music and merriment, shopping, holiday strollers, and all sorts of fun! If you book a night at Cape Ann Motor Inn on either December 4th or December 11th you will receive a 10% discount off your stay. Just call directly at 978-281-2900 and mention “Shop Local” to receive your discount and then make a night of it!

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Full discloser, I found this photo of my salty son on the Yankee Fleet’s Facebook page….because, that’s where he spends 90% of his time. The season is winding down and he’s obviously back in school and/or at the hockey rink, but he absolutely spent more time on the water this summer than he did on land. The Yankee Fleet is his home away from home and he wouldn’t have it any other way! Such great people! Check out the Yankee Fleet here and be sure to book a trip (or two or three or four) for the spring and/or summer. I’ll remind you!

https://www.facebook.com/yankee.fleet